HARARE - Zimbabwe Triathlon team brought home six medals from the South Africa Triathlon Championships held in East London but a distinct slump in quality was evident in comparison with last year’s performance at the same tournament.

The medals comprised of a Gold, Silver and four Bronze medals while the team was able to take three gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals last year.

Zimbabwe triathlon coach Wayne Davidson threw his weight behind the team before leaving for South Africa describing it as “the competitive team we have assembled with as many as 10 girls and six boys as potential medallists,” but the team failed to leave according to the billing.

Zimbabwe got into the championships with three gold medals but only one to defend after last year’s Under-15 girls’ winner Skye Davidson and her sister Cameryn formerly with Under-13 age group moved to the Under-17s and Under-15s for this year’s contest respectively.

Laurelle Brown the outgoing Under-19 champion was left to defend her title but only managed a third place finish behind South Africans Jodie Berry and Nicole Brits.

In the Under-17 category, Skye Davidson heralded her arrival in the new age group with coming in second place, just 18 seconds behind South Africa’s Nicole Venter while her counterpart Serena Rendell claimed Bronze.

Gabrielle De Chassart bagged the only gold medal for Zimbabwe in the girls’ Under-15 category finishing her race 0:39:37.

This was a marked improved by De Chassart after having won a Bronze medal at the same competition last year.

Her teammate, Tyla Storrer came in third place while Cameryn Davidson slipped to fifth place.

Gideon Benade completed Zimbabwe’s medal haul with after coming in third place in the Under-15 boys’ category.

Zimbabwe team coach Wayne Davidson said: “In finishing the event with one gold medal, one silver and four bronze we have again produced a very competitive and successful group of athletes.

“However, we have fallen short of previous years in terms of medal quality. Both Laurelle (Brown) and Skye (Davidson) would normally be expected to produce, but we must be prepared to accept that they will not always win but they still have shown the potential they have to go all the way.”