The Africa titles will be up for grabs in Egypt this weekend
The fifth and final standard distance Continental Championships of 2026 are upon us as Africa’s finest poise themselves to go head-to-head in Hurghada, Egypt. A picturesque course made up of a 1500m sea swim, six laps along the coast on the bike and four beach-side laps on the run will settle matters. When the starter’s horn goes off, however, two distinct races will begin.
While the Africa title will be an achievement in its own right, it will not escape the attention of those racing that the event offers significant points towards Olympic qualification. In addition, for those that may slip outside the Olympic qualification rankings, it will be a crucial insight into the form and strengths of their continental rivals in the race for Africa’s Olympic New Flag places. This year’s Championships, then, might just be the true starting point of the African race to LA 2028.
Men’s field
The cream of the crop in the men’s field is WTCS medallist Jawad Abdelmoula (MAR). The Moroccan athlete won the Africa sprint distance title earlier in the year shortly after claiming a bronze medal at the Lanzarote World Cup. Based on 2026 form, this is his race to lose.
One of his main challengers will be Team World Triathlon athlete Julian Birkel (RSA). The South African athlete is fresh off rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the business at the Rome World Cup, where he placed 25th, after also finishing 15th at the Asuncion World Cup in August. Similarly, Badr Siwane (MAR) medalled behind Abdelmoula at the sprint distance championships in Blue Bay and will look to get one over his compatriot.
Paris Olympians Jean Gael Laurent L’entete (MRI) and Eloi Adjavon (TOG) have been accruing race reps on the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup circuit recently, as has Algeria’s Naim Mokhfi. In top shape and with a collection of medals from the past couple of months, they will be confident of upsetting those ranked ahead of them.
Likewise, several U23 athletes will be eligible for senior glory and could punch above their weight. Among this crowd will be Antony Clayton (RSA), who raced at the World Junior Championships in Pontevedra last month. Clayton won multiple Africa Junior Cups earlier this year and has the run speed to trouble anyone. At his age, though, the standard distance might be a challenge too far. Tunisian U23 duo Zakaria Chtioui and Mohamed Aziz Hamdi could also feature prominently.
Last but by no means last, 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman (RSA) appears on the start list. Schoeman, winner of the WTCS Final in Cozumel a decade ago, raced two T100 events earlier this year after making one T100 outing in October 2024. Otherwise, he has not raced since the Paris Olympics. We will therefore discover what form he is in and whether this represents the start of an LA 2028 qualification tilt.
Women’s field
The race for gold will likely be between Shanae Williams (RSA) and Hannah Newman (RSA). Both were the top finishers from the continent at the Africa Sprint Championships and have extensive World Cup experience. Newman finished slightly ahead of Williams at last weekend’s Rome World Cup, but this is a delicately balanced match-up.
Andie Kuipers of Zimbabwe will hope to break up what could otherwise be a South African party in Hurghada, while Aimee Roux (RSA) and Nora Nouri (MAR) will fancy their chances of making the podium. Ultimately, in what is a small field there is a good chance that anyone bold enough and capable of making a solo move stick will decide the race.
