A rainbow finish in Japan, for the 2025 World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki, as the Elite women deliver a thrilling sprint-distance showdown ahead of the final World Cups of the season.
A rainbow shone over Miyazaki as the elite women lined up for one of the final World Triathlon Cups of the 2025 season. The rain that had greeted the men earlier in the day had cleared, leaving warm and humid conditions for a hot and fast sprint-distance showdown along Japan’s stunning coastline.
The sprint-distance course featured a 1 lap swim, 4 lap bike, and 2 lap run, all set against the scenic Miyazaki backdrop. While the earlier drizzle had left sections of the course slick, anticipation was high as the women prepared to close out their seasons on a strong note.
Great Britain’s Tilly Anema set the early pace, producing an excellent swim to lead the field out of the water and into transition.
On the bike, her compatriot Jess Fullagar wasted no time asserting control, powering to the front and maintaining a commanding lead across the 4 lap course. The chase group included Anema, Spain’s Cecilia Santamaria, Australia’s Charlotte Derbyshire and Kira Hedgeland, Japan’s Yuko Takahashi, and the AIN duo of Valentina Riasova and Diana Isakova.
Fullagar led the charge throughout the bike leg, building time over the technical sections and tight turns, aware that a field of strong runners were closing in behind.
A smooth and efficient T2 saw Fullagar hit the streets of Miyazaki first for the 5km, 2 lap run, but it wasn’t long before Valentina Riasova surged forward with an impressive burst of pace to take control of the race. Behind her, Fullagar and Anema worked together in pursuit, each determined to secure a spot on the podium, with Isakova running strongly in fourth.
As the race unfolded, Riasova held firm to the finish line, claiming a brilliant victory in Miyazaki in a winning time of 1:00:05.
'It's crazy, I am so happy. The run is my strength and I was controlled and kept the tempo to get the win. It's my second win and I am so happy,' said Riasova.
Fullagar crossed for a hard-fought silver, while Anema celebrated a career best bronze, rounding out a superb day for Great Britain.
'I can't quite believe it. It's really exciting and I am really happy and pleased. I was a bit worried because I have raced quite a bit over the last few weeks. When I bridged back up, I just thought I would give it a go and race from the front. 'It was a case of getting ahead, grounded and trying to believe in myself on the run,' said Fullagar.
'It's my last race (of the season), I just wanted to give it my best and have no regrets and it paid off. To end the year on a really good note is really excited,' added Fullagar.
'Wow that was tough, I am really happy to podium,' said Anema.
Isakova finished fourth and Santamaria in fifth, followed by Charlotte Derbyshire in sixth and Yuko Takahashi in seventh in what marked her final race before retirement from elite triathlon, receiving heartfelt applause from the home crowd. Kira Hedgeland rounded out the top eight after a strong, consistent performance across all three race disciplines.
What a finish in Miyazaki! The women delivered a spectacular race to remember and the World Triathlon Cup series now turns its sights to the final events of the season, where more thrilling battles await on the road to year’s end.
