Olympic Medalist Henri Schoeman to Make Long-Distance Debut at DATEV Challenge Roth
The team behind DATEV Challenge Roth is excited to welcome another top-tier athlete to the starting lineup: Henri Schoeman, Olympic bronze medalist from Rio 2016, will compete in his first-ever long-distance triathlon, covering 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and 42.2 km of running.
The South African triathlete has been among the world's best in short-distance racing for years and is now taking on the prestigious course of DATEV Challenge Roth.
"On My Bucket List for a Long Time"
Schoeman eagerly looks forward to his long-distance debut on July 6, 2025, and is thrilled about the race’s special atmosphere:
"I am incredibly excited to race at Challenge Roth because this event has been on my bucket list for a long time. I think the atmosphere is just spectacular, and it’s something truly special to be a part of—especially competing against the best professionals."
"I Want to Compete Against the Best"
Henri Schoeman is a five-time South African short-distance champion. In 2018, he won gold at the Commonwealth Games. He also took the top spot at the Arena Games Triathlon in 2023. Last year, he claimed victory in his first Ironman 70.3 race in the Philippines, and now he is making the leap to long-distance racing:
"This will be my first long-distance race. I don’t have any specific expectations, but I really want to compete against the best and learn as much as possible from the race and about myself. If I manage to reach the podium, I will, of course, be very happy."
DATEV Challenge Roth is known for its legendary atmosphere, fast course, and world-class field of athletes. With Henri Schoeman joining the race, another exceptional talent is added to the lineup. Fans and experts alike are eager to see how the Olympic medalist will perform over the long distance. He won’t be the only Olympian in Roth, as Australian triathlete Aaron Royle announced just last week that he would also make his long-distance debut.