Roberto Sanchez suffered a robbery before competing in the triathlon of Cape Town

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We echo an article published in the newspaper diario.es where the triathlete Roberto and Amitai Yonah, from the UA, competed in the Triathlon World Cup despite being assaulted and beaten at gunpoint two days earlier in South Africa

The UA triathletes Roberto Sánchez y Amitai Yonah they knew they were traveling to Cape Town to swim, cycle and run, but they did not expect that they would have to do an extra sprint to escape three criminals armed with pistols. It happened last Friday, two days before facing the first round of the triathlon World Cup, already scoring for the world ranking and in which Roberto Sánchez finished in an impressive seventh position.

The triathletes traveled by bus to the hotel, but left 500 meters from the door. During the road and in broad daylight they were assaulted by three individuals who threatened them with guns. After struggling with them, Roberto was hit with the butt of the gun causing a breach in the head. After appropriating the criminals from a backpack and a bicycle wheel, the triathletes left running in search of the hotel to take refuge.

After a few moments of bewilderment about what happened, the triathletes went to the police station to report the facts and to the hospital to be examined for the blows received. The triathletes recognize that for a moment they doubted if they would be able (more psychic than physical) to compete in a test as demanding as the World Cup, but as the hours passed all doubts dissipated and there was no shortage in the starting line, although they were not exempt from problems. The organization reviewed the 22 Valencian athlete and finally decided that he could take part in the test, but the diagnosis was delayed and doubts martyred the UA triathlete.

Finally, Roberto Sánchez overcame everything and, although diminished by the wound on his head, He finished seventh, the best Spanish, and in this way equals his best position in this competition, while the Israeli Amitai Yonah finalized the number 40 of the 55 inscribed. A success of the triathletes of the UA that were involved in a difficult situation in the South African city.

Roberto Cejuela, coach of the UA, described as "spectacular" the seventh position of Sanchez. "He has a lot of merit to have been so close to the podium because he has barely been able to rest after the incident," said Cejuela, proud of the triathlete's work, which he predicts "a promising future."

Cejuela also indicated that the Valencian triathlete is one of the UA athletes who will fight to obtain a place for the Tokyo Olympic Games. "It is very complicated because there is a lot of competition in the Spanish team, but it will try," says the coach of the UA triathlon team. "Now to rest and forget the unpleasant episode of the robbery and continue training for the next test," added the coach.

Source: http://amp.diarioinformacion.com/deportes/2018/02/13/atraco-triatlon-ciudad-cabo/1987903.html

Photo: @triatlonsp