The 2016 Cozumel ITU Aquathlon World Championships will once again be the start of the week long Cozumel Grand Final program on Wednesday, September 14. The race, which consists of a 2.5 kilometre run, 1 kilometre swim followed by another 2.5 kilometre run, is one of the fastest events in multisport. Multiple World Champions will be crowned as hopeful elites, under23, juniors, paratriathletes and age group racers from around the world compete. ITU Aquathlon World Championships have been held annually since 1998 and some of the world’s best athletes have claimed the title and this year, two more will join the club.
Elite Men
With a heavily talented start list, the men’s race can be expected to provide a high level of competition. The returning World Champion, along with other star-studded first-timers will step up to the line in the hopes of claiming the multisport World title.
Probably the most experienced and most predictable frontrunner for Wednesday is Richard Varga (SVK). As a four-time reigning World Champion in aquathlon, winning the title in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, he will be working towards his fifth crown. The water is where Varga really excels, so this sport is one that he has time and time again proven he can dominate.
The addition of Alistair Brownlee to the roster will bring an element of excitement to the race. Brownlee has never competed in the Aquathlon World Championships before, but as a two-time Olympic triathlon gold medallist, the world knows he can swim. He also is a training partner with Varga, so the two competing against each other head-to-head should be a sight to see.
The Polyanskiy brothers also join the list. Last year, Igor Polyanskiy earned the silver medal in Chicago, so him and Dmitry Polyanskiy will bring the heat to Wednesday’s competition.
Other names that could make waves for the World title is Mexico’s own Cristanto Grajales and USA’s Tommy Zaferes. Grajales is new to aquathlon, but as one of the top triathlon elites, he could be a huge threat. Along with Zaferes, who was fourth in Chicago last year, he is a swift swimmer, so this sport suits his skills perfectly.
Elite Women
With only four women lining up to compete for the Multisport World Championship title, the competition is set to be a battle between Russia and Macau.
Three Russians make up the field, and topping the list is last year’s reigning World Champion, Anastasia Abrosimova. She won the title last year by a 50-second margin, so she is the frontrunner to look out for.
Long Hoi (MAC) was the bronze medallist last year in Chicago, and as the only non-Russian to race on Wednesday, she has a lot on the line to try and take the crown away.
Under23 and Junior
Both the U23 and junior races will see the next generation of multisport athletes take the stage to win the World titles. Athletes from all across the globe are being represented, such as countries like Russia, Ecuador, Turkey, Egypt and Czech Republic to name a few.
Paratriathlon & Age Group
USA’s Amy Dixon is the only paratriathlete to compete in the aquathlon races this year. Competing in the PT5 sport class, all she has to do is finish the race and she will be crowned the World Champion.
Our age group competitors make up the majority of the field and traveled from every corner of the globe ranging in age from 16 – 84. There is no greater honour than to represent your country which is sure to produce some sensational racing.