by Ng Wei Loon
IN HER bid to move up to the next level, emerging triathlete Zoe Natasha Bowden is set to take on new and unknown obstacles by joining the more competitive junior scene.
Although Zoe, 12, has been making her presence felt in local junior triathlon races since taking up the multi-discipline endurance event in 2009, the rookie is excited about gearing up for her first major test of the season at the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) Asian Cup at Subic Bay in the Philippines on May 5.
“The victories in smaller junior age-group events have definitely boosted my confidence to face stiffer challenges. I am excited about gauging my strength by going up against stronger competitors in tougher events. I know that I will need to keep up with the pace and continue to strive for improvement as I progress to the next level. I am also approaching a crossroads in weighing my options to focus on triathlon seriously,” Bowden said, adding she is also chasing her dream to earn a place for the prestigious Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, in the future.
Ironman campaigners are required to complete a 3.8km swim, a 180km ride and 42km run in the gruelling event.
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Rising star: Budding triathlete Zoe Natasha Bowden.
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At the moment, the Garden International School student is setting her sights on maintaining her good run in her third appearance at the Phuket IronKids competition at the Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club (TLSC) in Thailand on April 20.
Zoe was the girls’ 12 to 13-years category winner as well as clocking the fastest time to finish as the seniors’ course overall champion at the meet on two separate occasions in Phuket last year.
Following a memorable debut, completing the 300m swim, 12km ride and 3km run in 41:55 in April, she returned with an improved time of 39:23 to retain her top position in December.
“For my next outing, it would be great to extend my winning streak at the Phuket Ironkids. My aim is to reduce my previous time by another minute,” Zoe said.
Over the years, Zoe has also featured in various junior age-groups swimming meets at national and regional levels.
Besides going through her paces under the Kuala Lumpur Amateur Swimming (PRAKL) programme, she is also a Triathlon Association of Malaysia (TRIAM) junior trainee.
“I started to take up swimming seriously at the age of seven. I am very comfortable going into the opening event of the triathlon races based of my background in swimming. However, I will still need to work on my cycling and running. I have been training under renowned triathlon coach Steve Lumley from Britain since the end of last year. Currently, Steve is sharing his knowledge with other triathletes under the TRIAM banner during his stint in Malaysia. I am sure that I am going to gain and benefit from his vast experience and expertise to become a better athlete,” Zoe said.
In 2010, she showed her promise with her victory in the girls’ Under-12 category at the Port Dickson International Triathlon.
She went on to extend her domination winning the girls’ Under-12 section at the Singapore International Triathlon last year.
This year, she is also expected to sign up for the both meets in Port Dickson and Singapore scheduled on July 7 and 14 respectively.
FACT FILE
Name: Zoe Natasha Bowden
Date of Birth: March 4, 1999
Ht: 1.65m Wt: 45kg
School: Garden International School
Hobbies: Art, drawing, information and communications technology, photography, reading, travelling
Ambition: Professional triathlete
Favourite Sports Personalities: Ian Thorpe (Aus); Cadel Evans (Aus); Usain Bolt (Jam); Francisco Javier Gomez Noya (Spn)
Coach: Steve Lumley
Achievements:
2010
- Port Dickson International triathlon girls’ Under-12 champion
- Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) triathlon girls’ Under-13 champion
- Chin Woo Biathlon girls’ Under-14 champion
2011
- TNT-Kuala Lumpur Alice Smith School triathlon girls’ Under-13 champion
- Nexus International School triathlon girls’ Under-13 champion
- Inaugural Phuket IronKids girls’ 12 to 13 years champion and senior girls’ (12 to 15 years) overall champion
- Singapore International triathlon girls’ 12 to 15 years champion
- AISM triathlon girls’ Under-15 champion
- Second Phuket IronKids girls’ 12 to 13 years champion and senior girls’ (12 to 15 years) overall champion
- Chin Woo Biathlon girls’ Under-14 champion
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