Willie van den Berg from Kimberley recently gained a tenth place in a world championship, crossing the finish line just 13 minutes after the winner.
Van den Berg, who previously participated in amongst other iron-man competitions, competed at the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships Townsville.
This took place from 15 to 25 August in Australia.
Here approximately 3 000 athletes from over 40 countries competed in 19 world championship races across five levels: age group, para triathletes, junior, U23 and elites. It also includes eight events: duathlon sprint, duathlon standard, 2 × 2 mixed relay, cross triathlon, cross duathlon, aquathlon, long distance triathlon and aquabike.
Van den Berg entered in the duathlon standard event in the 40 to 44 years male age group, and on 18 August he tackled this event consisting of 10 km running, 40 km cycling, followed by another 5 km run.
He ended in the tenth position in 2:11. Winner Daniel Dimock from Great Britian finished in 1:58.
On this accomplishment, Romeo Syfers wrote: “From a young age, Willie embodied the spirit of resilience and determination, qualities that would propel him to great heights. His journey to the world championships in Townsville was epic.
“As a child, he would be dreaming of the day he could prove his mettle on the world stage. His unwavering dedication and countless hours of training transformed those dreams into reality.
“Crossing the finish line, Willie secured a remarkable tenth place in his age group, a testament to his relentless spirit and tenacity.
“The Kimberley boytjie had become a beacon of inspiration. His perseverance and triumph resonated far beyond the race, reminding the world that with passion and dedication, greatness is within reach for anyone willing to chase their dreams.”
