The course was tough, conditions near-perfect and the crowds came out in force for an outstanding day of Para Triathlon World Championship racing at the 2025 Championship Finals in Wollongong, Australia in October.
The wheelchair PTWC and visually impaired PTVI categories went out first, and Lauren Parker got the crowd fired up with her fifth women’s PTWC world title, a resurgent Thomas Fruehwirth (AUT) with the men’s title. The Austrian - previously World Champion back in 2010 - was able to pass compatriot Florian Brungraber to take the win by three minutes, Louis Noel of France third. In a women’s race dominated by Parker, Emilia Perry (USA) won a first World Championship medal with silver, Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira with the bronze.
In a mighty battle for the men’s PTVI title, defending champion Dave Ellis and guide Luke Pollard (GBR) left it late to pass the battling Lazar Filipovic (CRO) and Antoine Perel (FRA) on the run and bag the gold. Susana Rodriguez was back to her best in the women’s race, recovering from a tumble in transition to power home with Sara Perez Sala, her guide who was also able to hit the T100 podium later that day, Francesca Tarantello (ITA) with silver ahead of Anja Renner (GER) in third.
The second instalment of racing was kicked off by the PTS5 men and women and the PTS4 men going out in sequence. Paralympic Champions led the way once more as first Chris Hammer (USA) pulled clear of Jack Howell (AUS) on the run to get the win, Martin Schulz of Germany in third. Alexis Hanquinquant (FRA) once again showed his mettle to score an incredible 8th world title in the men’s PTS4, compatriot Pierre Antoine-Baele with silver and Nil Riudavets-Victory (ESP) the bronze.
Grace Norman (USA) put together yet another commanding performance to continue her win streak in the women’s PTS5 category, Grace Brimelow (AUS) with a rapid 5km to secure silver ahead of Lauren Steadman (GBR) completing the podium.
Then it was the turn of the PTS2, PTS3 and PTS4 athletes, with a beaming Anu Francis bringing home the PTS2 women’s gold for Australia just 23 seconds ahead of Paralympic Champion Hailey Danz (USA), Asumi Yasuda (JPN) with her first World Championship medal in third.
Elise Marc of France was victorious once again in the women’s PTS3, Anna Plotnikova (AIN) and Kenia Villalobos (MEX) with the bronze. Another French star Camille Seneclauze dominated in the women’s PTS4, newcomer Danielle Cummings (USA) showing her potential with silver and Hannah MacDougall of Australia rounding out the podium.
The men’s PTS2 saw Jules Ribstein continue the French gold streak against a tough field as Wim De Paepe (BEL) just pipped Mohamed Lahna (USA) to the silver medal. Finally, Henry Urand was able to overcome helmet issues on the bike to defend his PTS3 World Championship title and head a GB one-two with Ryan Taylor, Spain’s Daniel Molina with bronze.
