Australia’s Luke Willian has produced the biggest performance of his career at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Yokohama, clinching a bronze medal and securing an automatic nomination to the Australian team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Willian is now set to join Matt Hauser on the Australian Olympic team, who secured silver – the pair capturing Australia a rare double podium.
Yokohama was the final chance for Australian athletes to clinch an automatic nomination with a top-eight finish, a goal that Willian had firmly set his sights on before the race began.
“I’m a bit speechless right now. I missed out last time, I was so so close. I missed out on discretionary selection,” said Willain
“So this whole journey has been all about taking my opportunities, creating my own destiny and to do that today with selection on the line is pretty special.
“I really wanted that podium. I didn’t want to just qualify, I want to compete and I want strive for the best. It’s pretty special that the other Aussie and guy in front of me is my roommate.”
Hauser secured his automatic nomination at last year’s World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra.
The 26-year-old says he’s proud of his start to the year – backing up his victory at the Oceania Triathlon Standard Championships in Taupo with a silver medal today.
“I’m really proud of myself. Over the last couple of years, coming up from juniors, U23s I really struggled with consistency to start off my elite campaign,” Hauser said.
“It’s great to have these results and give credit to all my support team, my family and my girlfriend back home.
“There’s so much on the line, so much at stake, Olympic spots are on the line, people’s dreams on the line, we give everything for this sport… days like this for me make it all worthwhile.
“And can I say, my roommate for so many years on the WTCS circuit, he (Willian) deserves it more than anyone to book a spot for Paris and I can’t believe it.”
The pair were in contention from the outset, navigating through the swim and a dramatic bike leg alongside 50 men in pursuit, amidst crashes on the technical course.
Willian led alongside Morgan Pearson (USA) onto the final lap of the run before the American broke away to eventually win, with Hauser pulling ahead of his Australian teammate to secure second place, with Willian holding on for a career-best third, marking his maiden WTCS podium.
Other Australian results from the day in the men’s category include Callum McClusky finishing 42nd, Brandon Copeland in 46th place, while Jake Birtwhistle did not finish.
In the women’s race, Jaz Hedgeland was the best placed Australian in 25th, Charlotte McShane came in 32nd, Nat Van Coevorden finished 35th, and Sophie Linn did not finish.
World Triathlon Championship Series Yokohama
Elite Men – Full Results
Elite Women – Full Results
