Kenya’s Ismael Mungai and South Africa’s Taylor Foster during the Africa Triathlon Development Cup relays/CHARLENE MALWAKenya’s Ismael Mungai powered through punishing Kilifi heat and late-race fatigue to anchor his relay squad to a bronze medal at the Africa Triathlon Development Cup, wrapping up the youth season.
Mungai said the push took everything out of him after he and his teammate, South African Taylor Foster, clocked 55:07 in their mixed relay race.
Maja Brinkmann and Chase Kisting of Namibia won the race in 50:33 while Tunisia’s Youssef Slama partnered with Namibia’s Matt Reece for second place in 50:40.
“Little struggle, but I pushed myself past my limit, which was very good. The interactions with peers from other countries helped a lot. For now, I’ll be doing local races and building up for the big ones. I believe in myself,” said Mungai.
He admitted the course exposed areas he must refine on the Road to Dakar.
“Day 1 was very challenging. I struggled a lot, especially with the run. I’m good at swimming and cycling, but I’m working on my running. I’ve done this since I was young and my dream is to make it out there,” he observed.
Youth Coach David Ndatha said the relay served its purpose beyond medals, stressing that it was designed to restore confidence, test resilience and help athletes reconnect after a long, injury-hit season.
“The mixed relay is designed to help athletes have fun, socialise and do something out of the normal,” he said.
Many had been nursing fatigue, scrapes from coral and lingering knocks, making the Kilifi finish a symbolic close to the World Triathlon youth calendar.
The relay, featuring athletes with 250 points and below, was structured to show developing nations that the pathway to global stages is attainable.
He said, “World Triathlon wants to give youth scenic camps and events that line them up against the best young athletes globally. Okal came in fifth in a very competitive field and they now head to Ethiopia.”
He called for more local competitions to lift standards.
“There are no adequate events to gauge themselves. If you don’t race, you won’t improve,” he said.
In the individual boys’ 11–12 years category, Burkina Faso’s Wendpanga Soubeiga stormed to victory in 5:15, ahead of Switzerland’s Julian Gerosa and Kenya’s Robin Kipchumba.
The girls’ race saw Nielsine Muthoni take top spot with a confident 6:33 run, with Abigail Bunkowske settling for second.
Adalia Oyier claimed the girls’ 6–8 years category, Rocco Noveli took boys’ 9–10 years title and Anna Anzazi Ndaro dominated girls’ 9–10 years division with the fastest youth time of the day, 3:55.
