Toti’s triathlete competitor bags gold at Sprint Championships
Being a decent swimmer and runner, I decided to give triathlons a go, and I'm glad I did," said Wade.
AMANZIMTOTI’s very own triathlete competitor, Wade Botha (29) won gold in the Sprint Championship event of the South African Triathlon Championships held at Maselspoort, Bloemfontein over the weekend of 17 March.
The 29-year-old now eagerly waits to hear if he qualified to represent his country at the Age Group World Triathlon Championships, held on the Gold Coast in Australia later this year.
While Wade has always busied himself with surf and flat water canoeing, both of which he represented his province in, he only began competing in triathlons – swimming, cycling and running – some two years ago.
“These were my third South African Champs, other than that I finished third at the 2016 and first at the 2018 KZN Champs, and then also have competed in nearly all local events. This year has been my first year of podium finishes,” he explained.
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On Saturday, 17 March Wade raced in the Age Group Sprint championships and won the gold medal, and on Sunday he raced in the Age Group Standard Distance and finished in fifth place.
“I went into the weekend of racing feeling the strongest I ever have,” explained Wade. “I’ve done a lot of work on the bike with my ‘coach’ Bryan Powell. The bike leg of the race has let me down in the past so I really focused on that in the build-up. I was aiming for good results but I definitely surprised myself.”
With regards to training, the Warner Beach Preparatory educator explained that he aims to train at least five to six days a week, ideally two sessions a day.
“I haven’t worried to much about nutrition until a few months ago, but it has made a difference already, the lighter I am the better in this sport,” he said.
Sport plays a significant role in Wade’s life.
“I now teach full time, but three years prior to that I was the director of sport at Warner Beach Preparatory. I’ve always been an active person. I’m very competitive in everything I do, so after a few years of not being competitive, I started getting bored. Being a decent swimmer and runner, I decided to give triathlons a go, and I’m glad I did,” he said.
The recent championships that Wade competed in was a selection race for the Age Group World Triathlon Champs to be held on the Gold Coast in Australia later this year.
“I’m hoping my performance at nationals was good enough for the selectors, but I’m not counting my chickens just yet. I will have to wait for the official announcement in a few weeks,” he said.
The athlete’s goal has always been to represent his country. “I think standing on that start line ready to race for South Africa would be the ultimate reward. So if not this year as soon as possible. Otherwise I aim to just to keep at it and stay fit and healthy, because I’m getting old now,” he joked.
Wade thanked the many parties involved. “Even though I’m 29-years-old, my parents are still my biggest supporters and enjoy coming to the races they can make,” he explained. He extended his gratitude to his friends, who regardless of their locations around the world, ensure they’re up at whatever time needed, to wish Wade all the best for his race.
He lastly thanked Bryan Powell for pushing him on. “I know there is still plenty of work to be done. Brian does a great job of not letting me forget that,” he said.
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