“My greatest moment has to be when I qualified first in my age-group in a qualifier race in 2021 for the 2022 World Triathlon Sprint Championships Montreal. This was a dream come true as I never expected to compete at a World Triathlon Championships and will be my lifetime goal ticked off in June.”
Yiannis Christodoulou, 38 years old, lives in Cantebury, full time Performance Analyst and was inspired by the 2012 London Olympics to get fit after coming home from work and seeing the Olympic Triathlon competition on screen. With no sporting background prior to this moment and unable to swim, Yiannis Christodoulou started his journey which has led him to achieving his greatest goal yet, qualiofying to compete in the 2022 World Triathlon Sprint Championships in Montreal this June.
In this interview with World Triathlon, Yiannis Christodoulou displays that hard work, determination and passion can transition into achieving lifetime goals. In this instance Yiannis Christodoulou has qualified as an age-group triathlete to represent Great Britain in the 2022 World Triathlon Sprint Championships Montreal.
“I had some long term injuries and nearly gave up, which lead to to competing in Aquathlon (Swim/Run) in 2015 where I qualified for Great Britain in my age group for the 2016 European Aquathlon Championships, where I achieved a bronze medal there and at the National championships in my first year of the sport. However, in 2019 I won the European Aquathlon Championships in my age-grpup and also the National Championships. I decided it was time to do Triathlons and I have worked hard to improve on the bike. In 2021 I was runner up at the National Sprint Triathlon Championships in my Age Group and 9th at the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in Valencia on my debut. I am now preparing for my first World Triathlon World Championships in Montreal, in June 2022.
What is Triathlon to you?
“It’s life for me, I enjoy the training and it is so good for your health and mental health and well being.”
Are you part of a Triathlon Club?
“I am part of Ashford Triathlon Club and the community means a lot to me, I have made great friends and it’s always great to chat to someone while training. The community is very supportive and everyone has a story to tell to help you in your journey. Clubs are very much the sole of the sport and important to a local community.”
What gives you the motivation to want to compete at the highest age-level of World Triathlon?
“The be able to be the best I can be and push my limits. I would have never expected what my journey path would lead to. I have achieved so much in a short time but I like inspiring people showing them that you can achieve great things as I couldn’t swim and only started running in 2012. So I always use the motto “You don’t need to be talented, Hard work pays off” this gets me through tough days. Also when sessions don’t go to plan, looking back at how far you have come is always great motivation. But of course racing against the best age group athletes around the world provides so much motivation for me.”
Insight into your World Triathlon experiences?
“It’s such a honour and a privileged to be racing for your country and at the European and World Championships. It is always nerve-wracking at the start but when you start its a great experience, with people cheering you on. Everyone is friendly and you get to meet people across the world as well as travel to places you may never have thought you would go to and end up being a hidden gem. Being part of Great Britain is a great feeling and we also have a big team, it is great to feel part of a team and fellow GBR athletes cheering each other on. The whole experience is just a great feeling and if you manage to get on the podium then that feeling is just amazing, one that will stay with your forever.”
How motivated are you to see the sport of Triathlon develop around the world?
“Really motivated and it’s inspiring, Triathlon is growing and it’s great to see more and more people do Triathlon. It also allows people to connect with people across the world with a common hobby.”
Who do you seek advice from in the sport?
“My coaches are my mentors and also my friends. My coach Mark helps me stay focused and motivated as he also competes at a high level and I learn a lot from him. My swim coach John is always here to feel me with confidence and my strength coach Craig is always reassuring me. But most of all my wife is the most important mentor in my life as she supports me all the time and when things are tough, she always comes to all my races. I always joke about she gets a holiday out of it.”
Greatest Triathlon moment of all time?
“My greatest moment has to be when I qualified first in my age-group in a qualifier race in 2021 for the 2022 World Triathlon Sprint Championships Montreal. This was a dream come true as I never expected to compete at a World Triathlon Championships and will be my lifetime goal ticked off in June.”
If you could be part of an Olympic Mixed Relay team, who would be in your team?
“This is tough one but firstly Gwen Jorgensen would be my first pick straight away. I am a huge fan of Gwen’s and I was always inspired by the way she came through on the run part and dominate. My strongest part is running so seeing her do this motivated me. I would also have Alistair Brownlee, an all-time great who has achieved great things and the last person would be Flora Duffy, an amazing Triathlete and always so strong in races.”
How have you stayed motivated during the pandemic?
“Having small daily goals or weekly goals to work towards has really helped me. No training is a waste and training helped me get through the tough time. It works wonders for your mental health. I now work from home due to the pandemic so I am able to break my day up with training before and after work and therefore sets you up nicely for the day.”
Goals for 2022?
“One big goal of making the podium at the 2022 World Sprint Triathlon Championships in Montreal. I believe that the impossible can become the possible. I mentioned before I couldn’t swim in 2012 and impossible goals make you work hard for it and they can become possible. If I don’t get the goal that’s fine as I tried my best and I got to a World Championships in Triathlon. Of course I have been at 4 Aquathlon World Championships but Triathlon is what inspired me and it’s my dream to get there.”
