Schoeman, Sullwald and Sanders to fly SA flag in Yokohama

JOHANNESBURG: Looking for his second podium finish of the season, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Henri Schoeman will spearhead South Africa’s charge at the Yokohama World Triathlon Series (WTS) tomorrow.

With Richard Murray taking time out to focus on the Half Ironman, Schoeman and Wian Sullwald will fly the flag in the men’s elite race, with Gillian Sanders featuring in the women’s category.

Schoeman, pictured, is currently fifth in the World Triathlon Series rankings with a second-placed finish at the Cape Town ITU World Triathlon World Cup and two top 10 finishes on the WTS.

The Yokohama race has attracted a top-class field including WTS rankings leader Javier Gomez Noya of Spain, with Olympic silver medallist Jonny Brownlee making his season’s debut.

Schoeman regained his strength and confidence following a heart scare at the WTA Abu Dhabi with creditable fifth and eight-place finishes at the New Plymouth World Cup and WTS Gold Coast events respectively.

Finishing 2016 with a flourish by winning Olympic bronze and topping the Cozumel Grand Final podium, Schoeman has not quite enjoyed the same form.

It will also be the first time Schoeman lines up against Brownlee, who he beat in dramatic fashion in Cozumel, Mexico, last year.

Schoeman moved past Brownlee, who had suffered from heat exhaustion and had to be carried over the line by his brother Alistair, to claim his maiden WTS title.

World Champion Mario Mola of Spain will add to the quality line-up in Japan’s second biggest city for the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Earning his first major senior podium finish with third place in Cape Town, Sullwald’s season has been slightly topsy turvy.

He did not finish in Abu Dhabi after crashing on the bike leg before finishing 22nd in New Plymouth and cracking the top 10 with ninth place in Gold Coast.

He goes into Yokohama with his best world ranking of 11th place.

Ranked second in the world, Murray is the top South African so far this season but will be missing Yokohama as he prepares for his maiden Half Ironman in Slovakia in June.

South Africa’s only woman on the elite circuit, Sanders would have taken confidence from her ninth place in Gold Coast.