NO one can deny the meteoric rise of La Lucia’s Kyeta Purchase (18). After winning bronze in the junior girls K1 race at the 2016 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, she will be looking to make her mark in her first year of U23 K1 international race. She was recently crowned the U23 SA Champ in the K1 category at the SA Flatwater Marathon Champs, a first for her.
“This was my first year in the U23 age category so to do as well as I did was extremely rewarding. I was up against Kerry Segal, who is an amazing athlete and I’m so chuffed that I was able to pull off the win. Going into the SA champs my goal was to make the team for the world champs, so it was awesome. Looking ahead to the world champs, I would love to build on the successes of last year and claim a podium finish. I’m under no illusion that it’s going to be an easy ride, I’ve got less than three weeks and I’m focusing all my energies on being prepared.
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“I’ve gone through a few changes recently with a new coach which is a challenge but one I’m confident I’ll overcome. I think no matter what colour medal is, I would love to make everyone proud. Being in front of a home crowd is going to be absolutely amazing,” she said.
This will be Purchase’s third flatwater marathon world champs and she will be joined by fellow U23 Durban paddler, Kerry Segal.
The former Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School learner was also full of praise for her fellow South African athletes.
“I think we have a really strong team and I’m going to be on the sidelines cheering on for them.”
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