Coming from a family of sporting fanatics, it was only natural for Magda Nieuwoudt, a North-West University (NWU) alumna, to excel in her sporting career.

Magda, a triathlete (an athlete who does three sports disciplines as one), recently turned professional after eight years of doing the sport as an amateur. The three sports disciplines she focuses on is open water swimming, cycling and running.

One can only imagine how fit a triathlete must be in order for them to swim, run and cycle within a short space of time. Magda usually trains twice a day for about two hours per session. In between her workout sessions she works as a coach at Trivium Sports Club in Pretoria where she coaches swimming, running, cycling and trains other triathletes.

“After years of competing in various competitions I just kept getting better and better as a triathlete; so I decided to turn pro and compete at an elite level,” she says.

When asked about her biggest achievement to date, Magda says: “Partaking in the Duathlon World Championships in 2012 and coming third was a great accomplishment for me.” She adds that participating and securing sixth place while competing against top-class athletes at the Ironman Australian Oceania Triclub Championships is another of her biggest achievements.

Her next goal is to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and to compete against the top athletes in the world.

Where it all started

She obtained her honours in sports science from the NWU in 2012 and then went on to complete her postgraduate certificate in education.

“The NWU has had a 100% impact on my career. I started my triathlon career at the institution during my first year of study,” she says.

She would like to thank the NWU for giving her the opportunity to grow as an athlete, as well as her coach, Niel du Plessis from Sport Science Lab, PVM Nutritional Sciences, Blu Smooth Triathlon and Swimming Wetsuits and her friends and family for all their support.

“If it was easy everyone would be doing it. If you want it, you need to work for it. Do not just give up when it gets tough. Go out there and swim, bike and run as if you where born to do just that,” are her words of encouragement for those who want to follow in her footsteps.

 Magda Nieuwoudt, an NWU alumna, is an accomplished triathlon athlete.