Moroccan athletes Mohamed Nemsi and Ghizlane Assou won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, at the African Duathlon Cup on Sunday. The event was held along the Sidi Kacem Corniche in the municipality of Gzenaya, south of Tangier, as part of the third edition of the “DUATHLON TRIUMPHER’S” competition.
Nemsi dominated the men’s race, organized by the Nasr Tangier Team Association under the supervision of the Royal Moroccan Triathlon Federation. He completed the course in 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 26 seconds, finishing ahead of fellow Moroccans Oussama Nabil (1:49:44) and Omar Othman K. Mghar (1:49:52).
In the women’s race, Assou claimed victory in 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 16 seconds. Islam Bakhti finished second in 2:28:40, followed by Aya Bakhti in third with a time of 2:28:59.
The African Duathlon Cup attracted professional athletes from Morocco and abroad, including Bahrain, the United States, Spain, and Afghanistan.
Speaking to MAP after his victory, Nemsi noted that the race took place in excellent conditions, allowing competitors to manage its different stages successfully despite the relatively high temperatures. He extended his thanks to the Nasr Tangier Team (TTT) and the Royal Moroccan Triathlon Federation for their organization.
Assou also expressed her delight at winning the title on Tangier soil and praised the quality of the event’s organization.
She highlighted the technical challenges posed by the course’s nature, strong winds, and heat, while also commending the performances of her two club teammates, who secured second and third place.
Khalid Allou, president of the Nasr Tangier Team Association, which organized the race, lauded the positive reception of the event and its organization. He also celebrated what he described as a historic achievement by Moroccan athletes, who swept the top three places in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Allou stated that the organizing association is committed to further developing the competition in future editions and strengthening its international dimension by attracting participants from diverse countries.
According to the organizing association, the event is a premier duathlon competition at both African and international levels, bringing together elite Moroccan and foreign athletes. It also offers races for amateur and semi-professional competitors, aiming to expand participation in the sport and provide athletes of all levels with the opportunity to compete in a professional environment.
Alongside the sporting program, the event also featured a four-day economic and cultural exhibition. A portion of this exhibition was dedicated to local cooperatives and associations, showcasing the cultural heritage of the Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region and promoting local products and traditional crafts.
