Australia’s Matt Hauser claimed a historic victory at the World Triathlon Championship Series event in Yokohama, producing a world-class performance to take back-to-back gold in Japan.
The reigning world champion delivered a statement victory with his first race of the season with another composed and clinical race, while compatriot Luke Willian continued his early season form claiming the bronze medal.
Racing for the first time since claiming the 2025 world title in Wollongong, Hauser was a constant presence at the front of the field.
The win continues Hauser’s outstanding record in Yokohama, with victory at the venue in 2025 and back-to-back silver medals in previous years, while Willian also claimed a podium finish at the event in 2024.
Hauser became the first man in over a decade to claim back-to-back Yokohama titles.
“It felt like a bloody national champs out there with three Aussie’s in the breakaway,” Hauser said.
“It was awesome to see the Australians up the front, working together.
“Yokohama has been very friendly to me in the past and it’s great to kick off my season against some hefty competition.
“I’ve had some great results here, so it is great to kick off the season in Yokohama.
“I want to do the World Champion label justice this season, back-to-back is the ultimate goal, but I don’t want that to take away from LA 2028 qualification.”
Hauser was a marked man coming into the race, but showed no rust, perfectly positioning himself throughout the swim and bike before unleashing a trademark run leg to secure a 20-second victory against a stacked international field.
Brisbane’s Willian also backed-up his victory last week in China, with a strong performance in Japan to claim the Bronze.
“The last couple of kilometres, I was just fighting off cramps,” Willian said.
“I kept pushing and pushing, felt like an all-out sprint, when you are in the break all day, the small group worked really well together.
“To come here and podium and win last week, form is looking good, looking forward to a couple of weeks.”
Gold Coast’s Brayden Mercer finished an impressive 6th with a strong swim leg putting him in strong contention against a hot field, leading Hauser and the field out of the water.
“Braydo took out the first lap really hard, he did really well,” Hauser said.
“He works really hard, I train with him every day and looking forward to a big season from him.”
It was Mercer’s best ever result in the WTCS elite field, showcasing his potential on the global stage, while in the women’s race, Richelle Hill finished 21st, making the step up from U23 racing to Elite this season.
Australia’s para-triathlon team delivered a stunning medal haul at the World Triathlon Para Series, led by another dominant performance from Lauren Parker who stormed to gold in the women’s PTWC race.
Parker crossed the line almost two minutes clear of her nearest rival in another commanding international performance.
Australia celebrated six podium finishes across the event, with Anu Francis and Maddie Sandals claiming silver, while Grace Brimelow secured bronze.
The strong Australian showing continued in the men’s events with silver medals to Sam Harding and Jack Howell.
Australia also recorded a series of top-eight finishes, with Jeremy Peacock placing fourth, Matthew Engesser finishing fifth, and David Bryant seventh.
Australian Results
Elite Men
Matt Hauser – Gold
Luke Willian – Bronze
Brayden Mercer – 6th
Brandon Copeland – 28th
Bradley Course – 29th
Elite Women
Richelle Hill – 21st
Para
Lauren Parker – Gold (PTWC)
Anu Francis – Silver (PTS2)
Sam Harding (guide Aaron Royle) – Silver (PTVI)
Jack Howell – Silver (PTS5)
Maggie Sandles (guide Lauren Sprague) – Silver (PTVI)
Grace Brimelow – Bronze (PTS5)
Caroline Baird (guide Sophie Walker) – 4th (PTS5)
Jeremy Peacock – 4th (PTS4)
Matthew Engesser – 5th (PTS4)
David Bryant – 7th (PTS5)
