Henri Schoeman: It’s such a fantastic feeling to win gold

Henri Schoeman of South Africa, right, high-fives his teammate Richard Murray ahead of winning the triathlon gold medal on Thursday. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Henri Schoeman of South Africa, right, high-fives his teammate Richard Murray ahead of winning the triathlon gold medal on Thursday. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Published Apr 5, 2018

Share

JOHANNESBURG – Classy customer Henri Schoeman is racking up the accolades winning the Commonwealth triathlon title in the early hours of Thursday in Australia’s Gold Coast.

The 26-year-old Schoeman added the Commonwealth gold to his Olympic bronze medal from two years go to once again confirm his rise in the event.

He won the 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run race with a time of 52 minutes and 31 seconds

Australia’s Jacob Birtwhistle was second in 52.38 and Scotland’s Mark Austin third in 52.44.

“It means everything to me, you know - two years ago Olympic medallist and now two years later Commonwealth champion,” Schoeman said. 

“It's such a fantastic feeling and I am just so happy that I could do this for my country, I could do this for supporters and most importantly for my family and my girlfriend.”

Schoeman produced possibly the best run of his career after turning in his customary strong swim leg and staying among the leaders on the cycle.

He is establishing himself as a true force given this result and his complete dominance at the World Triathlon Series (WTS) title in Abu Dhabi. 

Schoeman became only the second male triathlete after two-time Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee to win both the swimming and cycling events to go on to win a WTS title last month.

Compatriot Richard Murray took sixth place clocking 53.04, while former world junior champion Wian Sullwald finished in 20th place clocking 56.30.

@ockertde

IOL Sport

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Related Topics: