The fact that Gizelde Strauss (TuksSport High School) finds it hard to resist a good challenge is probably one of the reasons for her regular appearances on podiums at triathlon events.

With her is appears to be a case of the tougher the challenge the better the performance. Strauss was the winner of the under-19 girl’s race at the recent Discovery ITU World Series event held in Cape Town. Earlier she won the South African triathlon title in the age group (16-17 years).

Last year she was the Junior World duathlon champion (running and cycling) as well as South Africa’s junior triathlon champion.

While still at primary school Strauss excelled in swimming, athletics, duathlon, biathlon (swimming and running), hockey and netball. A definite highlight for her was winning a silver medal in her age group at the World Biathlon Championships.

The challenge of having to master three sports (rather than two) to be competitive was probably the reason for her eventual decision to focus only on triathlons.

“Triathlon is a very unpredictable sport. Something unforeseen can happen at any moment and then you have to be ready to react.

“One of the most important things my coach, Kate Roberts (Tuks/HPC) (who was an Olympian triathlete herself) keeps emphasizing is that even the best-laid plans can go awry during a race. It is how you react to a setback that makes the difference between being just another athlete or becoming a champion,” said the Grade 11 Learner.” 

Strauss had a first-hand experience of what Roberts was talking about during the African Junior Championship. She was up with the leaders after finishing the cycling leg when she was challenged by an unforeseen setback.  While she was running with her bike to the transition area one of her cycling shoes unclipped from the pedals and fell to the ground. Strauss had no other option than to turn back and pick up her shoe.  In spite of losing valuable seconds to the race leaders she still managed to finish third.

In what was a difficult decision it was decided that Strauss won’t defend her junior duathlon world title in Spain in June.

“There are still moments when I regret that I won’t be able to compete at the World Duathlon Championships, but an athlete sometimes has to decide what is the most important. Triathlon is the sport in which I really want to excel. At the moment I am able to run and cycle with the best but I still need to work a bit harder on my swimming. So instead of trying to defend my world title I am going to work towards becoming a faster swimmer. If I can do so there is good chance that I will be competitive at the Triathlon World Championships.”

It should be no surprise that Strauss considers Gwen Jorgensen (USA), a two times world champion, as her role model.

“What I admire about Jorgensen is that she sets herself goals and then works very hard to achieve it.”