Australian para-triathlete Anu Francis will head into tonight’s World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain, as a defending world champion for the first time.
Francis, who claimed the women’s PTS2 world title in Wollongong in 2025, says she is embracing the added pressure.
“It is definitely exciting to arrive as the defending world champion for the first time. There is a bit of pressure, but I’m trying to keep myself focused,” Francis said.
“Whether you are ranked No.1 or have that title hanging over your shoulder, it’s still swim, bike, run. Hopefully I can put in a good race and show off what I’ve done in training.”
The 2026 championship represents another important step towards the LA2028 Paralympic Games for Francis, who is still relatively new to international para-triathlon.
“It’s a really important stepping stone on the road to LA. I’m still one of the newest athletes in my classification, so I’m still learning so much,” she said.
“I’m still getting used to a new bike setup, I’m still really learning how to swim, so there is still so much I’m putting together in every race.”
Francis also returns to Pontevedra with fond memories, having finished second at the 2023 World Championships.
“I was only 20 seconds off winning and that was huge for me at the time. I’d only been racing for a year or two internationally,” she said.
“I was so proud. I couldn’t believe I was that close to winning at a world champs.”
Francis will line up in the women’s PTS2 race later this evening.
