Thomas Goodman (PTS2) delivered the standout performance of his short-career in Yokohama, securing his first-ever World Triathlon Para Series medal with bronze.
Incredibly, his third-place finish in Yokohama comes amidst only his third World Triathlon Para Series start.
His early form this season has been nothing short of impressive, beginning the campaign with victory at the Oceania Triathlon Para Championships in Stockton, and continuing to impress with a solid sixth-place finish at the World Triathlon Para Series in Devonport.
But it was the performance in Yokohama that truly solidified his status as a contender for a spot on Australia’s Paralympic team as he sent himself surging up the Paralympic Games Qualification Rankings.
The South Australian’s bronze moved him up three spots to eighth, with the top-nine ranked athletes clinching quota positions for their nations at the end of the qualification period on July 1, 2024. Australian athletes have the opportunity to secure automatic nominations by ranking within the top five.
Goodman’s compatriot in the men’s PTS2 class, Glen Jarvis, also saw an improvement in his rankings. His fourth-place finish in Yokohama propelled him up one spot to eleventh.
Other athletes to improve their rankings include Justin Godfrey (PTS3) and Sally Pilbeam (PTS4), who both climb one spot in their respective rankings, with Godfrey now sitting in fourth and Pilbeam in third.
Several athletes maintain their positions despite their performances in Yokohama. Lauren Parker (PTWC) remains in first, Anu Francis (PTS2) stays in second, and Jack Howell (PTS5) remains third. Likewise, David Bryant (PTS5) in seventh and Sam Harding (PTVI) in eighth, both retain their positions within the top-nine of the Paralympic Games Qualification Rankings.
Some Australian’s faced minor setbacks in the rankings on their Road to Paris.
Despite their absence in Yokohama, Grace Brimelow (PTS4), Hannah MacDougall (PTS4), Maggie Sandles (PTVI), and Caroline Baird (PTVI) each dropped one spot in the rankings. Additionally, Liam Twomey (PTS4) experienced a more significant drop of two spots.
Nic Beveridge (PTWC) and Jeremy Peacock (PTS4) both also slid two spots following their fifth-place finishes in Yokohama.
Crucially, Beveridge (5th), Peacock (6th), Twomey (8th) and Sandles (8th) maintain their positions within the top-nine despite their rankings slipping.
As the Paralympic Qualification period draws to a close on July 1, 2024, six ranking races remain for Australians to bolster their position in the rankings and earn a spot at the Games. These include the World Para Cups in Samarkand, Vigo, Taranto, and Besancon, along with the World Triathlon Para Series events in Swansea and Montreal.
To view the World Triathlon Paralympic Games Qualification Rankings, click here.
To view the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games Nomination Criteria, click here.
Paralympic Qualification Rankings (as of 13 May, 2024):
PTWC Men
5 – Nic Beveridge (-2)
PTS2 Men
8 – Thomas Goodman (+3)
11 – Glen Jarvis (+1)
PTS3 Men
4 – Justin Godfrey (+1)
PTS4 Men
6 – Jeremy Peacock (-2)
8 – Liam Twomey (-2)
PTS5 Men
3 – Jack Howell (-)
7 – David Bryant (-)
PTVI Men
8 – Sam Harding (-)
PTWC Women
1 – Lauren Parker (-)
PTS2 Women
2 – Anu Francis (-)
PTS4 Women
3 – Sally Pilbeam (+1)
17 – Grace Brimelow (-1)
18 – Hannah MacDougall (-1)
PTVI Women
6 – Maggie Sandles (-1)
12 – Caroline Baird (-1)
