Even though he really wants a place on the podium, Henri Schoeman will also be happy with a place in the Top 10 at the ITU Discovery World Series in Cape Town on Sunday 27 April.
Schoeman (23) is the newly crowned African Champion after winning the Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe over the weekend. Richard Murray and Wian Sullwald finished second and third respectively.
Schoeman is very happy with this result after not having the best time regarding injuries the past three months. “I have been dealing with two injury setbacks, one in my knee then one in my ankle. My ankle is not 100% yet but I have been able to do some running. I am happy with my swimming and biking form and I would have liked to be a little bit faster with my running at the moment. I had a very good race this past weekend and that was a very good confidence booster going into the Cape Town race next weekend. Judging from that performance I think I am happy with my current form and fitness going into WTS Cape Town.”
Schoeman reckons everybody – athletes and spectators – should be ready for some fast paced action. “It will be a flat and fast race in Cape Town. The water temperature might be a factor with it being so cold. It would be ideal if a small group of about 10 athletes could be in front out of the water and in a break away on the bike. I would love to achieve my best result in Cape Town, which would be on the podium. I will still be happy to place amongst the top 10 though.”
The South African trains with World Champion Javier Gomez from Spain. Gomez along with Michael Phelps are Schoeman’s sporting heroes. “Training with Javier Gomez is really good and truly an eye opening experience. I gain so much knowledge from the way he trains and prepares for big races. Apart from training he is the nicest guy you could ever meet. He is very humble and down to earth which is something I admire about him so much.”