EL athletes shine with 21 medals at world champs
EAST London biathletes came home smiling yesterday after winning a total of 21 medals at the UPIM Triathle/Biathle World Championships in Sarasota, US at the weekend.
Sammy Saunders, who coaches a number of East London athletes, said: “I am over the moon with the results from the world championships. The athletes really did well. It just goes to show that what you put in, is what you get out.”
Daniel Breetzke from Selborne Primary won gold for the individual biathle race and Paul Elliot (masters category) took gold in the triathle individual race. Gonubie Primary’s Emily Raath and Rodney Westgate (masters category) took home silver in the individual section, while Nathan Gallacher (Stirling Primary) and Paul Elliot took bronze.
Gallacher and Westgate took home gold in the relay team event, which is a mixed event involving the top male and female athletes from each age division.
Emily Raath, Matthew Raath, Westgate, Elliot and Teko Khetsi took home gold biathle team medals. This event is scored using the top three combined times of athletes in the same age division.
“Stand-out athletes were Breetzke, who put a lot of time and effort into succeeding at the event, Ben Heuer, who had an unfortunate fall during the race which prevented him from winning, Gallacher, Elliot and Westgate.
Emily Raath stood out among the girls and showed good character by coming back from fifth place on Friday to win silver on Sunday,” said Saunders.
Saunders commended the team for improving on last year’s performance when they only returned with 10 medals.
However, it must be noted that there was no team relay event last year.
