As Team World Triathlon takes its first steps on the road towards the 2028 Olympic Games, with applications for selection now open, several core members of the 2024 Team have likewise started their journeys to Los Angeles. Read on to discover some of their recent highlights.
Michaličková stars in Cogne
Zuzana Michaličková (SVK) narrowly missed out on Paris 2024 after fighting for the European New Flag slot. Nevertheless, she showed no signs of slowing down last year as she went on to claim the European U23 title and silver medal at the World U23 Championships. Now, the Slovakian athlete is dialled in on her path to Los Angeles.
As her first foray into international racing in 2025, Michaličková tackled the World Triathlon Winter Championships in Cogne, Italy. In a switch from the standard swim-bike-run affair, the racing consisted of running, mountain biking and cross country skiing. A training camp in Livigno clearly paid off as she came away with the gold medal in the U23 category and 5th place in the elite women’s race. Up next for Michaličková will be a return to the Lievin Indoor Triathlon World Cup in March, an event at which she finished 9th in 2024.
World Triathlon Development looks forward to welcoming her as a Team World Triathlon member on the blue carpet later this year after her medal-winning snowy adventure. Catch World Triathlon's recent interview with the rising talent here.
Hawley back in action
On the other side of the world, Bermuda’s Erica Hawley started her season in Napier, New Zealand. Hawley had not raced since the Paris Olympics and so entered the World Cup event unsure of where her form stood. Any uncertainty was soon removed, though, as she took 9th place in a return to the top-10.
That represented not only an improvement on her 12th place finish at the 2024 iteration of the race, but also her best international result since claiming 5th place at the Wollongong World Cup last April. After her lengthy break from top level action, Hawley will look to build upon her positive start to 2025. Next on her racing agenda will be the Americas Cup in Miami at the end of March.
Iijima looks to LA
After a well-earned break of her own, Guam’s first Olympian in triathlon, Manami Iijima, is deep into her preparation for 2025. She recently completed a five-week European training block in Lanzarote and Saarbrücken, Germany, under the guidance of Andreas Klütsch, supported by the German Triathlon Union (DTU).
“This camp gave me the opportunity to train with a great group of athletes, abundant resources to help my triathlon career, and also to meet and get to know my coach in person. It was an eye-opener, and much knowledge was gained on how and why we train a certain way. I'm grateful for this experience and can't wait to continue this journey. Hopefully, I could inspire other athletes from the Pacific Islands to follow my path.”
In addition to qualifying for Paris, Iijima also made her WTCS bow last summer, in Hamburg. Going forward, making a return to the Series will no doubt be among her short-term goals as she keeps the 2028 Olympics on her horizons.
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