Australia’s Para and Intellectually Impaired (II) triathletes delivered inspiring performances at the Australian Para Triathlon Championships, held as part of Race 3 of the 2XU Triathlon Series in St Kilda, Victoria, on Sunday.
Raced in cold and blustery conditions along the iconic St Kilda foreshore, the Championships brought together some of the country’s best para and II athletes, with 24 competitors lining up across multiple classifications, the largest National Para Championship field seen in many years.
In the II1 classification, experience and consistency were on full display as Cameron Marshall and Georgia Powning continued their dominance of the national stage. Marshall claimed his sixth consecutive national title with a gun time of 1:07:09, while Powning matched the feat in the women’s race, stopping the clock at 1:30:01 to secure her sixth straight crown.
The PTVI events produced some of the most compelling stories of the day. In the women’s PTVI B2/B3 race, Ashley Bryden and her guide Felicity delivered a commanding performance across swim, bike and run to storm to victory. In the men’s race, Matt Cameron and his new guide Sean Murphy were equally impressive, working seamlessly together to take the national title. Their win was made even more remarkable by the fact that the pair’s first training session together took place just weeks ago, and St Kilda marked Murphy’s first-ever race on a tandem bike. The former Olympic rower embraced the challenge, relishing the team-based nature of para triathlon as he guided Cameron to the top step of the podium.
Another standout moment came in the PTS5 category, where Monique Muskens claimed the national title in her Australian Para Triathlon Championships debut. Having only started triathlon three months ago, Muskens’ victory capped off an extraordinary journey south, driving from Sydney to Victoria through searing 45-degree heat and bushfire-affected regions. The effort proved worthwhile, with Muskens describing the experience as a defining moment that has inspired her to continue her para triathlon journey.
Teenager Matthew Howes continued his rapid rise in the sport, claiming his maiden national title in the PTS2 category. Kicking off 2026 with the same dominance he closed out 2025 with, Howes delivered a confident and composed performance to secure the Australian crown. Already showing maturity beyond his years, the rising star balances his growing triathlon career with life off the racecourse, followers can also spot him on court this summer as a ball kid at the Australian Open.
With strong performances across all classifications and an unprecedented number of athletes on the start line, the championships highlighted the growing depth and momentum within Australia’s para triathlon program. As the sport builds towards the LA28 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic cycles, the future of Australian para triathlon looks brighter than ever. Follow and support these incredible athletes on their triathlon journeys.
2026 Australian Para & II Champions
Male
– Cameron Marshall (II1) – 01:07:09 @cameron.marshall.10
– Jeremy Peacock (PTS4) – 01:10:50 @jezza_peacock
– Jack Gibson (PST5) – 01:11:43 @jackgibson1205
– Matt Cameron (PTVI B2/B3) – 01:16:56 @matticameron_7
– Matthew Howes (PTS2) – 01:31:33 @matthewhowes.para
– Callum Barrett (II3) – 01:33:11
Female
– Ashley Bryden (PTVI B2/B3) – 01:24:32 @tri_ash_lete
– Georgia Powning (II1) – 01:30:01 @georgia_powning1
– Monique Muskens (PTS5) – 01:38:18 @moniquemuskens
– Kailyn Joseph (PTS2) – 01:42:44 @kailyn.joseph
Full results from the Australian Para Triathlon Championships are available here
