Murray sets his sights on podium
AMBITIOUS: SA STAR WANTS WORLD TRIATHLON GLORY
Commonwealth Games the icing on the cake.
While he hopes for another double-medal haul at the Commonwealth Games in April, triathlete Richard Murray admits his main target this year is a maiden podium finish in the World Triathlon Series.
Murray retained his title at the Discovery Triathlon World Cup sprint race at the weekend, holding off compatriot Henri Schoeman as the duo opened their season with a bang, securing a one-two at their home leg of the second-tier series for the second year in a row.
“The next big focus is the World Triathlon Series race in Abu Dhabi (next month) and then the Commonwealth Games,” Murray said.
“So those are the interim goals, but this year I’m trying to focus on being the best I can in the World Series, and to try finish top three in the world at the end of the year.”
Having earned individual bronze and team silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, however, Murray was eager to shine again on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Despite the retirements of elite women Kate Roberts and Mari Rabie, Murray felt he and Olympic bronze medallist Schoeman would have a chance for another medal in the mixed team relay with veteran Gillian Sanders, who formed part of the team in Glasgow, and former New Zealand international Simone Ackermann who finished fourth in her second race in SA colours.
They would have additional backing from former world junior champion Wian Sullwald, who missed the elite men’s race at the weekend with a hand injury but was recently included in the SA squad for the Games.