Even before the start of the triathlon season, Sara Guerrero Manso has been confronted with her latest test. A hectic slate of university exams in February represented a change in pace from the rip-roaring end to a 2025 season that saw her step up to a whole new level in the sport.
With a win at the World Triathlon Cup in Florianopolis, her first at the level, Guerrero was the only woman to win medals of all three colours on the circuit last year. “It was a race I had marked in red from the beginning of the year, as soon as it appeared on the calendar,” she said. “Although the date was later changed (from April to October), I was really drawn to it, the country, the atmosphere, and everything about competing there.”
“A few weeks earlier, I had done a training camp in my ‘second home’ Tenerife, surrounded by friends and family, which allowed me to prepare for the final part of the season with calm and good energy. It had been a year of taking a step forward, of daring to trust myself and my work more, and Florianopolis represented all of that. I experienced that period away from my family, my boyfriend, and my coach, but I never felt alone; they were all supporting me from a distance, following every training session and every race, which gave me an extra boost.”
“Winning at Florianopolis was incredible, not just as a sporting victory, but as an emotional reward for a year of sacrifice, consistency, and trust in the process, and a reminder that all the effort had truly been worth it.”
To make it all the sweeter, her win came as part of an all-Spanish podium. “Sharing the podium with Marta (Pintanel Raymundo) and Miriam (Casillas Garcia) made the victory even more meaningful. We had spent three weeks living, training, and travelling together, and we had so much fun while supporting each other along the way. For me, that podium reflects the high level of Spanish women’s triathlon now and all the work the federation has been doing for a long time. Celebrating it together also made me feel incredibly proud to represent our country and reminded me how important teamwork is in a sport that can often feel very individual.”
Guerrero’s road to triathlon success, however, has not been an overnight journey. She made her World Cup debut in Cagliari in 2016, while still a final-year junior athlete, but would not appear in another World Cup outside of Spain until the end of 2022. She also did not make her WTCS debut (in Cagliari again as it happened) until a similar point in late 2022. Would she consider herself a 'late developer' in the sport?
“Yes, in a way I would. My development has been more gradual and maybe a bit later than for some other athletes, but I see it as something positive. At the beginning, triathlon was mainly a game for me and a healthy way to socialise and have fun. As I started to improve and get better results, I slowly asked more from myself, always in line with what I was achieving, without rushing things or burning out. That allowed me to really enjoy my time at school and later at university, which I value a lot. I think taking this slower path helped me mature, build a strong base, and reach this level with a calmer mindset and a clear commitment to each step I take.”
Guerrero acknowledged her priority earlier in her career lay more with academia. She originally studied dentistry in Madrid while being supported as an athlete by the Spanish federation. “Triathlon hadn’t become the central part of my life that it is today,” she noted.
Despite her recent success in the sport, the academic side has not lost its place in her life.
“I am currently pursuing nutrition and dietetics at UCAM (Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia).” Hence last month’s exams. “I chose this field because I’ve always been curious about how the body works, how rest, food, and training affect performance. Learning more about these things has helped me understand my own performance and improve as an athlete, so it felt like a natural way to complement my sporting career.”
“Triathlon is a very important part of my life,” she concluded, “but continuing my studies helps me stay balanced, take a mental break, and develop other sides of myself beyond competition.”
Nevertheless, there is an innate draw to the sport, beyond the medals and success, that fuels Guerrero’s passion. “I’m driven by the constant challenge that triathlon represents, because every season, every race, and every training session is different and there’s always something new to improve. I’m motivated by pushing myself, improving, and seeing how far I can go, but I also really enjoy the process and everything I learn along the way.”
“On top of that, triathlon has given me a lifestyle I truly value. Being able to share it with my partner, being surrounded by friends, travelling, and discovering new places through sport, helps me stay motivated and excited even during the toughest moments.”
Extrinsic factors such as international podiums might not be the primary driving force for Guerrero, yet medals are arriving at an increasing rate. Prior to her win in Florianopolis, she scored a silver medal at the Vina del Mar World Cup. Before that she notched a maiden World Cup medal – a bronze – in Chengdu.
“That first medal in Chengdu was a turning point. I had been training really hard for several years and pushing myself, but for one reason or another, I had never been able to ‘finish it off’ in the World Cups. I set that medal as my goal for 2025, since I noticed at the beginning of the year that my level had improved, and my new coach also got exactly what I needed to take my performance to the next level. And we did it!”
“After that, everything felt easier: I started to trust myself and my abilities more. Before, I knew I could do it and pushed myself to try, but until you actually achieve it, you don’t really know how it changes the way you approach and race. That medal gave me the confidence I needed to tackle the rest of the season with a different mindset, knowing I could be at the front and compete for top positions.”
Guererro therefore heads into 2026 at a high point in her career. Now, the next challenge awaits.
“As a very special and specific goal for 2026, one of the main focuses of my season will be the World Triathlon Championship Series Final Pontevedra. It’s the city where I live and train, so racing there, in front of my people, means a lot to me and makes that race extra special.”
“But in general, my goals for the season are to keep building in the WTCS races and continue growing as an athlete. I want to stay consistent and keep learning and improving every day, with my eyes on Los Angeles 2028. I feel that I still have room to grow at the highest level, so the idea is to keep gaining experience, try new things like altitude training, maybe add a bit more training load, and continue progressing step by step.”
No matter how the upcoming tests in the various walks of Guerrero’s life unfold, the lasting impression is that she will face whatever comes with total equanimity. Based on recent evidence, though, it would be no surprise to see her pass them all with flying colours.