A unique duo has qualified to compete at the Biathle World Championships in the USA in October.
Brother and sister, Marco (11) and Alicia (10) Prins from Fairland have been included in the South African Modern Pentathlon Association (Sampa) President’s team that will represent the country at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne Biathle Championships in Florida.
The pair will participate in their respective age groups from 19 to 23 October. Biathle athletes run, swim and run again without interruption, and is a sub-sport of the modern pentathlon.
Both took a liking to the sport which will take them overseas for the first time. They train at Hoërskool Randburg most days and went as far as obtaining their South African biathle colours.
Marco and Alicia said despite the championship, they are really looking forward to visiting Disney World and Sea World.
“I hope to beat every participant from SA in my age group,” said Marco.
Alicia is equally excited and hopes to keep her transition time under two seconds.
Riana Prins, the duo’s proud mother, said she believes the biggest obstacle will be mastering the breathing transitions as the athletes swim and climb out of the water to run again. “They even run with wet shoes,” she said.
Both Alicia and Marco will compete in the 400m run, 50m swim and another 400m run.
