When the 2026 World Triathlon Para Championships begin in Pontevedra on 25 September, seven athletes from seven National Federations will be recipients of the World Triathlon Para Athlete Support Grant, which provides financial assistance to athletes from National Federations where limited resources can make the pathway to international competition more difficult. The grant is designed to help remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent athletes from continuing to progress and competing at major international events. The 2026 recipients have already demonstrated their ability to compete at continental and world level and all have aspirations of Paralympic representation for their countries.
Meet the Recipients -
Asumi Yasuda (JPN) – PTS2 has made 16 World Triathlon starts, converting 13 into podium finishes, including four victories.
Antigoni Chariessa Vasilopoulou (GRE) – PTVI has 21 World Triathlon starts, with five wins and ten podium finishes. She heads to Pontevedra with a strong record at international level.
Monika Belczewska (POL) – PTS5 has 31 World Triathlon starts and seven podium finishes, bringing considerable international experience to the group.
Oscar Dennis (KEN) – PTS5 has made 12 World Triathlon starts and already has three victories to his name. As Kenya continues to develop its Para triathlon programme, Dennis is one of the athletes helping to lead that progress.
Fathi Zwoukhi (TUN) – PTWC has one of the strongest records among the 2026 recipients, with nine victories and 13 podium finishes from 23 World Triathlon starts.
Bence Mocsari (HUN) – PTS5 is the most experienced athlete in the group, with 49 starts, 23 podium finishes and 13 victories. His record reflects years of consistent international competition.
Ernestas Cesonis (LTU) – PTS5 has also built significant international experience, with 46 World Triathlon starts and six podium finishes.
Together, the group represents three continents, seven National Federations, three women and four men, with each athlete bringing a different experience and pathway into Para triathlon.
Supporting the pathway
The Para Athlete Support Grant forms part of World Triathlon Development’s broader work to create opportunities for athletes from National Federations where access to resources, competition and support can be limited. All details of the elegilility for the program can be found here.