Gizelde Strauss, is a Limpopo born dynamite champion girl who participates in Triathlon, a grueling multi sport, involving swimming, cycling and running. She is proudly a youth champion who was on a roll last year (2015) when she claimed Triathlon Africa Champ – 2015 Egypt and Duathlon World Champs in Adelaide Australia titles. This year she won the South African triathlon title in the 16-17 years age group. She is proudly trained by Kate Robers, an acclaimed two time Olympic triathlete.
Gizelde says “ I like to do sport this gives me a great sense of achievement , my motivation is a drive to be better than my previous achievement every time I step onto the plate.
South Africa and Africa has such a vast untapped pool of achievers who do not realize that they can also achieve great heights if only they would try. I am still young but that did not hold me back to becoming Duathlon World Champion as the youngest in the group, this I would like to be an example to all the wide eyed children of the continent, I you want it enough it is possible”.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
|
| Name & Surname | Gizelde Strauss |
| Date of birth | 3 August 1999 |
| Place of birth | Welkom – Freestate – South Africa |
| Current City | Groblersdal |
| Height | 1.73m |
| Weight | 51Kg |
| Shoe Size | 7 |
| Club | Tuks Triathlon Academy |
| Coach’s Name | Kate Roberts |
| Out of Country events/ meets | ATU – Africa Champs Egypt, World Schools Triathlon Paris, World Duathlon Champ Adelaide Australia, ATU – Trout Beck Triathlon Zimbabwe |
| Secondary Sport/ sports | Duathlon, Biathle, Triathle, Cross Country |
| Favorite City | Adelaide Australia |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Love Yourself – Selena Gomez |
| Favorite Movie | Fault in our Stars |
| School & Grade | HPC Tuks Sport School, Grade11 |
| Sponsors | Merida, Speedo |
| Twitter and Instagramnames, facebook name | Twitter: @gizelde_s
Instagram: Gizelde Strauss Facebook: gizeldestrauss |
| Parents Names, siblings | Father –Christo Strauss, Mother – Janet Strauss |
INTERVIEW:
Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your Triathlon, tell me a little bit about how you started in Triathlon and your journey in the Triathlon arena up to now?
My brother and I come from all kinds of multi sport background, and my brother started doing triathlon, so being the youngest sibling I followed in his footsteps and realized that triathlon is the sport for me.
Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Triathlon and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Triathlon Africa Champ – 2015 Egypt, 2015 Second place Schools World Champs Paris.
My personal best accomplishment would be winning the Duathlon World Champs in Adelaide Australia in 2015.
Q: What was your last champs and how did you experience it?
South African Triathlon Champs in Bloemfontein 2016 – the swim was in choppy windy conditions but I managed to have a great swim on the day, the cycle leg out on the road was difficult and I had to ride on my own for a great deal of the distance the wind being my worst enemy on the day almost blowing me over, at the second transition I lost my shoe getting off the bike costing me some valuable time, the run was also a hard race with a lot of turns first going down hill and then back up again, achieving first place in the 16 – 17 Year category.
Q: Why do you value and respect your coach so much?
She has a lot of experience in the sport being a Olympic athlete herself, she conveys this experience and knowledge to me without hesitation, helping me achieving new heights and working hard with me to realize my dream of competing at the Olympic games myself.
Q: How do you manage to fit in both sports and academics / work into your schedule?
Being at Tuks Sport High School helps a lot with this as they fit the academics into our training programs taking the pressure off of us.
Q: Beside your Triathlon what do you have a passion for?
Traveling the world and experiencing new countries and cities.
Q: Tell me one thing about yourself that the world does not know :-)?
I like to bake, doing this as often as possible.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
I have met Jesus personally at a very young age, this has given me courage knowing that all is possible through God. I know He is with me every step of the way, using the talents he has given me not only for myself but also as an example to others knowing He always has my back covered, inspiring me to achieve great heights in faith and sport.
Q: What is your favourite Bible verse?
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord”, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Q: What do you do to relax?
I like to read books and listen to music.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
Never think small, the world is out there go get it.
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
To improve my swimming to be able to compete with the best out there. My coach and I are working hard on this putting in extra hours when ever possible.
Q: What are your plans for the rest of 2016?
Competing in two Europe cup races in June in preparation for World Champs in Mexico later this year.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
Triathlon as multi discipline sport making it very expensive, if there are any sponsors out there who would like to take the journey with me please come forward and support me in realizing my dream, taking part and medaling at the Olympic Games!
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
NB – All images were supplied by the athlete to Heslop Sports. If there are any images that are not credited correctly, please email info@heslopsports.co.za with the details and we will gladly do so immediately.
