KZN’S Mikaela Jonsson selected to compete in three world events

PIETERMARITZBURG, 19 APRIL 2016 – KwaZulu-Natal’s young, multisport superstar and 2020 Olympic hopeful, Mikaela Jonsson (Jeep Team), has been selected to represent South Africa in three World events this year. Jonsson (18) will be racing in the Junior Elite category.

On 24^th April, Jonsson will be competing in the 2016 Discovery ITU World Triathlon Cape Town. She has also been selected to compete at both the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Aviles, Spain on 4th June 2016, and in Xterra World Championship off-road triathlon in Hawaii in October 2016 as part of Team South Africa.

The South African leg of the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series is taking place in Cape Town on 24 April. This is Race #3 of 9 international events that make up the series. This year, the ITU World Triathlon Series is an opportunity for athletes to earn Olympic qualification points. Jonsson will be competing in the Individual Sprint event - 500m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run.

Said Jonsson, “In 2016, I’m focusing purely on my sport after finishing Matric last year. I want to see how far I can go. To be selected for the South African team in these events is a massive achievement and in line with my goal to compete internationally this year. I’ve been training really hard these last few months and it’s starting to pay off.”

This weekend Jonsson proved she is in top form after her 2^nd female overall placing in the Sprint Race at Race#2 of the TinMan Triathlon Series, which took place at Suncoast Beach in Durban on Sunday, 17 April. Jonsson completed the 600m swim, 18km cycle and 5km run in 1h13m just behind Tegan Gore, who won the women’s event in 1h11m. Daniella Amgo placed 3^rd in 1h20m.

Said Jonsson, “I hadn’t tapered off for this race as I need to peak for the Discovery ITU World Triathlon next weekend. So I went in with tired legs. Saying this, it was a very close race. Tegan finished the swim and cycling legs just seconds ahead of me, but then managed to extend her lead in the final running stretch. TinMan was excellent preparation ahead of my big race this weekend.”

Editors’ Notes

PHOTO CAPTION: Mikaela Jonsson in Durban at Race#2 of the TinMan Triathlon Series, 17 April 2016.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin Sawyer