Josiah, Caleb, and Mathew Ney are three young men who share a passion for the triathlon.
The Vancouver Island natives have returned to Sooke from their new home in New Zealand to compete in the Kelowna Apple Triathlon. ThatB次元官网网址檚 an International Triathlon Union Camtri event that will give them an opportunity to earn valuable ITU points theyB次元官网网址檒l require if they hope to qualify for events like the world championships.
The three brothers are all recognized as up and coming triathletes in New Zealand and have made a name for themselves in one of the most difficult endurance sport.
The family moved to New Zealand four years ago and hold dual citizenships.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been competing since I was nine years old. I watched the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and I just loved the idea of triathlon,B次元官网网址� said Josiah, now 19.
B次元官网网址淚 grew up doing a lot of sports B次元官网网址� lots of running and hiking B次元官网网址� and I was already biking so I just needed to learn how to swim. I did and then participated in my first race in Victoria that year.B次元官网网址�
Of course, the initial distances facing Josiah were a fraction of the sprint distances he most often races these days. Those races now involve a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride and a five-kilometre run.
He also races the standard Olympic distance; a race thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly double the distance of the sprint race.
Given JosiahB次元官网网址檚 passion for the sport, it isnB次元官网网址檛 at all surprising that his brother Caleb, 16, also became involved in the sport at an early age.
B次元官网网址淚 got pulled into it by this one,B次元官网网址� said Caleb with a grin, gesturing at his older brother.
B次元官网网址淚 started a year after Josiah so I was seven at the time. Right now IB次元官网网址檓 racing the same distances he is, so itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun.B次元官网网址�
For his part, Matthew, the youngest of the brothers, had the earliest start.
B次元官网网址淚 started when I was four years old. I did the same race as these guys, although I remember that I did the whole run portion still wearing my bike helmet,B次元官网网址� Matthew, 14, recalled. B次元官网网址淚 had a little trouble getting it off B次元官网网址� it was taking too long, so I left it on.B次元官网网址�
The familyB次元官网网址檚 passion for the sport has extended to mom and dad, Kate and Patrick, although their involvement started only after they found themselves driving the boys to events and decided that they may as well try their hand at the sport.
B次元官网网址淲e take part, but weB次元官网网址檙e whatB次元官网网址檚 known as B次元官网网址榗ompleters, not competers,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� joked Kate. B次元官网网址淏ut it has given us an appreciation of how difficult the races are.B次元官网网址�
The life of a triathlete has helped shape the lives of all three brothers.
They admitted that their passion for the triathlon tends to set them apart from many of their school mates.
B次元官网网址淵ou find out pretty quickly who the people are that you want to hang out with. WeB次元官网网址檝e all got a lot of friends weB次元官网网址檝e made competing, of course,B次元官网网址� said Matthew.
B次元官网网址淏ut at school, itB次元官网网址檚 sort of natural to hang around with the athletes B次元官网网址� they sort of get it and can relate.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 not to say that they havenB次元官网网址檛 considered life beyond triathlon. Josiah hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine, but is quick to say that his dream of competing in the Olympics is still front of mind.
As for his brothers, they havenB次元官网网址檛 settled on a career path, but the shared dream of Olympic competition will continue to send them out for training and competition for the foreseeable future.
mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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