By Michael Uugwanga

FRESH from qualifying to the World Championship and claiming third place finish at the recently held World Triathlon Para Cup in Alhandra, Portugal, Jerome Rooi says that sport has changed his life. Rooi, who was born in Otjiwarongo but grew up in Rehoboth, lost his left leg when he was young and is today a top ranked para-triathlon athlete is now ranked in 11th place in the world.
This week Confidente caught up with Rooi as he speaks about life of being a para-triathlon, finishing third, life outside sport, and the future. “The year has been a great one, as I have accomplished a lot and fairly happy with myself, although there is always room for improvement but it has been a good year for me. I participated in five races namely, in Port Elizabeth-South Africa, Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan, Taranto-Italy, and Tata-Hungary and recently in Portugal.

A lot has happened in my life as far sport is concerned but do not want to go deep into it as it will end up into a paragraph. My life has changed for the better and that is a fact, I  eat regularly, keep fit,,travelling,meeting new people just to mention a few, but in all honesty being a triathlon athlete is demanding but I love it. The lifestyle is great and I can proudly say that I am proud para-triathlon athlete from the land of the Brave, I am now ranked 11th in the world,” said Rooi.

This year, not a lot has been achieved by local athletes internationally due to lack of international participation that comes with finances, however Rooi has managed to put the country on the world map. “The race was difficult, so being able to get third placed finish was so amazing, as it is a proof that there is a lot of progress in me. This is also my second time that I am qualifying to the world championship. The medal is solid proof that I have improved and reached yet another milestone,” said Rooi. Rooi was born with both legs, but lost his left leg when he was still little. Besides being an athlete, Rooi is a student and also a music producer as he grew up loving music.

“It is a very long story that I cannot remember that well, but basically I fell of a bicycle and the chain ring cut deep into my left leg and that’s when the bone of my left leg broke. I really do not know how I fell down to that extent that I cut my leg but I was young like four years or six, but the rest is history. I am a second year student studying Information Technology. Being a para-triathlon can be time consuming, so it is like a full-time job. Other than sport my hobbies are producing music, playing video games and watching animals. Music keeps me calm,” said Rooi.

Rooi is lucky to have a great coach in Naomi Schmidt, who to Rooi is like a mother figure.