Comeback Kid out to step up a gear in his push for big one at Hobie Beach

SOUTH African professional triathlete Matt Trautman will be out to prove he still has what it takes in the 14th edition of Standard Bank Ironman African Championships, at Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Trautman, of Stellenbosch, was hit from behind by a motor vehicle during a training session last year in January. The accident resulted in a crushed lumbar vertebra and multiple level spinal fusion which saw him out of action for most of last year.

The 32-year-old said the path to full recovery had been tough. It took him six months to start running after the incident. However, he says the whole experience has made him even more motivated.

And “The Captain” was back to his best in an impressive comeback when he won the Ironman 70.3 in East London for the third time in January.

“The first six weeks after the accident I was not allowed to do any training. That was the longest six weeks. I then started slowly executing a bit of stationary bike in the gym upright and I eventually did a bit of swimming.

“I just had to take it day by day. It took me about six months before I could run on the road again. I did some racing towards the end of last year and I did the 70.3 in East London in February.

“Winning the race was an amazing feeling. I had the accident a week before that race the year before, so it was a full year from the accident.

“I really wanted to try and prove to myself that I could still be competitive because I had won that race before.

“To win it again this year showed me that I have almost recovered completely.

“On Sunday again, I have something to prove to myself. I just want to see if the body is still capable of going the full distance,” he said.

Trautman had to take some time off after his big win in East London to recover, before training for the African Champs.

“The preparations have been good. I have been increasing my training volume but I have not really started to cycle yet because my preparations for the race started late.

“I had an issue with my leg actually leading up to the race in East London and it kind of just aggravated during the race. I thought I should give it some time to heal after the race. I am really looking forward to the African Champs. This will be my first full Ironman in two years, the last one I did was two years ago.”

The 2016 Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire champion winner is aware the race will not be a walk in the park.

“The two-time champion Ben Hoffman will obviously be competitive. There is Josh Amberger from Australia who will be very good and Kyle Buckingham the local athlete seems to be doing very well.

“I have raced most of the top guys before but I think the swim and the bike will be very fast this year.”