University World Champs – Chinese Taipei

It will be the first race since the Corporate Ironman Challenge way back in April. I was also excited to catch up with Wian and Wikus, my friends and training partners, who left for Europe a few weeks earlier.

Wian, Mari, Wikus, Rozi, Rudolf, Carlyn, Jono

Once we got to the hotel after the long flights to Taipei, the first thing that went through my mind, was …… holy crap this place is hot like hell! I enjoyed the heat for about the first hour because its winter back in SA. We built our bikes and then rested in the room until Wian and Wikus arrived. When we saw each other, we were very happy and went crazy for a few min. The first two days, we spent just talking and catching up. We chatted and joked throughout the week while all the other athletes were much more serious.

Having fun - Danny Su

The Hotel in Taipei was amazing! Each team had their own helper form the University, our guide(helper) was Danny Su, he was one of the most friendly and helpful persons I’ve ever met. Even though he struggled to speak English, he really tried his best to help us in every way possible. Thumbs up to our team manager, Jono.  Jono was also a fun guy to have around and on top of everything during the whole trip. But hats off to him he really made the tour easy for us - he made sure that we only need to focus on the race and everything else will be sorted.

The opening ceremony

On race day it was hot as hell and was going to be tough, the water temperature was 30 degrees so you knew that today was going to be a hectic day. I had a pretty good swim, leading the 2nd pack out the water with Wikus. Wian was in the front pack about 16 seconds ahead. Wikus and I cycled well together with the French and Japanese athletes to catch the front pack. Once we caught them it was like an easy Sunday cycle. Nobody wanted to work on the bike so we relaxed and took it easy, I think everyone was saving for the very hot run that was coming up. Once the run started I felt pretty good until about 5km to go when I started cramping and the heat got to me. I suffered through last 5km and made it 19th over the line, but I felt dead. Wikus and WIan had an amazing race ending up 4th and 9th respectively, congrats to them!

During the prize giving that evening, we all just wanted to have a good time and party, but when the medals were handed out, we realised that we won the bronze medal in the team competition. We went absolutely crazy - it was so amazing to have won a medal at a World Championships.

With the bronze medals

Thank you very much to everyone – my parents and sponsors - who made this trip possible. Thank you to Jono and my team mates, Wikus, Wian, Mari, Rozi and Carlyn for an amazing tour.

I’ll be racing next weekend a European cup in Holton so until then……

Cheers

Rudolf