In very hot conditions in Pretoria, South Africa, the Youth Olympic Games qualifying took place for the African continent.

Namibia’s Abrahm Louw dominated the men’s race whilst South Africa secured themselves the second spot as Wian Sullwald took second place ahead of fellow countryman Daniel Claassen. Egypt made their debut at a continental race with impressive results as Mahmed Nabil claimed fifth, but was unfortunately not strong enough to take a qualification spot for the Youth Olympic Games.

Ashleigh Blackwell put together a textbook race as she led from start to finish claiming a qualifying spot for the host nation with Zimbabwe also taking a place through Andrea Brown’s second place finish. The results from the qualification races assure that three countries, Namibia, South African and Zimbabwe, can all be represented in Singapore next summer.

The Pretoria event also hosted an ITU Triathlon African Cup which saw a comfortable win for home favourite Kate Roberts who went solo from the start to time trial her way to an eight minute victory. A strong breakaway on the bike for Claude Eksteen and Erhard Wolfaardt saw them hold off the fast finishing Hendrik De Villiers as the South African men stood on all three steps of the podium, with Zimbabwe’s Christopher Felgate in fourth.

The ITU Triathlon African Cup season continues in Mombasa on 21 November with the final race in Mauritius on 19 December.