Namibian Biathle Championships review
Last week saw the Namibian National Biathle Championships take place at the Municipal swimming pool in Walvis Bay. A fast and furious competition, 15 athletes ensured their qualification to the South African Championships which will be held in Durban at the end of June. Many of these will then be hoping to make the cut for the Biathle Triathle World Championships in Guatemala this October.
The main event at these Championships was the Biathle competition. The Biathle, which is a short but intense run-swim-run, saw the athletes running distances ranging from 500 to 1,500 metres, then swim 50 to 200 metres, and then run the same distances again, depending on their age group.
This event was the last chance for the athletes to qualify to represent the Namibian Modern Pentathlon Federation (for the Biathle event) at the upcoming South African Championships.
The following athletes qualified for the Federation team to participate at the South African Championships: Vialli Visagie (YDB), Carissa Esslinger (YDG), Nicole Stubenrauch (YDG), Tiana Esslinger (YDG), Schalk van der Merwe (YCB), Diaz Visagie (YCB), Gerard Hough (YCB), Elizabeth Rossouw (YCG), Ju-Ane Oberholzer (YCG), Micayla Winkler (YCG), Tanya Mackensen (YCG), Henk Rossouw (YBB), Jean-Paul Burger (YAM), Macquelin Winkler (JM) and Wouter Rossouw (MAM).
It was also the first time that a Triathle event took place in Namibia. It was hosted as a Fun event and the Biathle athletes and family members teamed up to complete this event together. The Triathle event comprises of three combined elements: shooting (with laser pistol), swimming and running. This competition proved to be an excellent fun activity for participants and spectators alike.
The event was hosted by the Coastal Multi-discipline Club. The main sponsor for the event was Gruhn Builders, which we thank tremendously for their generosity, without which it would barely be possible to host the Championships. The Namibian National Pentathlon Federation would also like to thank all athletes partaking in the events, as well as, the organisers and marshalls for hosting such an excellent competition. The Federation further congratulates all athletes who qualified to represent Namibia at either the South African or the World Championships in Guatemala.
Any person interested in future events in these sport codes are invited to contact: Ulrich Mackensen (President - Namibian Modern Pentathlon Federation) via e-mail at: mack@afol.com.na to obtain further information.
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