PUNCHING ABOVE HER WEIGHT
For this King’s Christian College student, triathlon offers a chance to make the most of her many athletic abilities – and her gaze is already fixed on the Paris Olympics
JASMYNE Coventry knows exactly where she’s going to be in 2024 — in Paris, competing in the Olympic triathlon.
The King’s Christian College student has just won the National All Schools Triathlon Championships for the second year in a row, despite competing against 18 and 19-year-old runners.
At just 16, Jasmyne, known by her friends as Jazi, has already been named captain of
the Queensland triathlon team and competed at the national level in multiple sports.
A win at the Australian Schools Triathlon Festival last year helped bring home the 13th consecutive overall trophy for Queensland.
But despite having her sights firmly set on an Olympic career, Jasmyne admits it wasn’t something she planned for.
“My sister and I were both just swimmers and runners, then she heard on the radio about the Kingscliff Triathlon and thought she’d
give it a go,” she said. “I just did it because she did it. There was a bit of competition when she did but she’s quit now, and I think part of the reason she quit was because I was doing it.
“Triathlon is the only way I get to do all the sports that I love. It was something to work on because I was never the best cyclist.”
The senior category of the Sunshine Coast championship event is made up of a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.
Jasmyne completed it in just over 59 minutes, and made it into first place almost a full minute ahead of her competitors. It took her just 18 minutes and 30 seconds to run the 5km.
She said it was a rigorous training schedule that earned her the win.
“I swim about four times a week and run four to five times, ride two or three,” she said.
“It gets a bit tough during exam block and when all exams are due but I work it out. I do it mainly on the weekends after work.”
Her hard work has earned her praise across the Gold Coast, including the Gold Coast Run Co, one of the high-profile running communities in the area.
“Performance is important but process and creating good people is something we value significantly higher,” they wrote on Facebook. “This kid is ticking all the boxes and we are very proud of her.”
When the Olympics heads to Paris in five years time Jasmyne will be just 21 years old.
“I originally wanted to go to 2020 but I feel like that’s a bit unrealistic now, so I’m going to focus on 2024,” she said.
“My ultimate goal is to win the Olympics one day.”
Director of Sport
Jason Grady had high praise for his student and can’t wait to see her take on the Olympic level.
“I think it’s amazing,” he said. “I think she will actually get there and she’s got the drive and determination.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a better athlete come through our school.
“There aren’t many athletes at her level around here.
“She’s a great role model at our school, she was named captain because people from school and outside school can see her natural leadership abilities.”