Jack Woodberry isn’t just racing for a title – he’s racing for Tasmania.
The 16-year-old has his sights set on back-to-back Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships, determined to defend his crown in front of a home crowd at this weekend’s Devonport Triathlon.
The Hobart teenager has emerged as one of Australia’s most promising talents, with a rapid rise through the ranks capturing the attention of the triathlon world.
Now, inspired by the trails blazed by his Tasmanian heroes, Woodberry looks to set to continue the state’s tradition of sporting success.
“I’m so proud to be a Tasmanian,” Woodberry said.
“It motivates me every day to know that I come from Tasmania and that I do what I do. It pushes me to show the world just what a small state like Tassie can achieve.
“It’s amazing growing up seeing athletes from Tasmania doing great things on the world stage, and it definitely makes me think ‘I want to be a part of that too’ – to contribute to the success and show the world what we’re capable of.”
Woodberry shot onto the scene last year, turning heads by winning the Oceania Triathlon Junior Championship title in Napier, New Zealand.
Despite being the youngest athlete in the field, racing against competitors up to three years older, he dominated the race, securing victory with the fastest run of the day – over a minute ahead of the next closest competitor.
This year, with the iconic Devonport Triathlon celebrating its 40th birthday, Woodberry is eager to mark the occasion by defending his title in his home state.
“To now be in a position to defend my title on home turf is incredible,” Woodberry said.
“It’s a huge honour, and I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got.
“The Devonport Triathlon has always been special to me. My earliest memory of the event is watching Jake Birtwhistle compete. As a little kid I always wanted to come here to race with the best.
“I will race as hard and as aggressively as I always do, but this one feels extra special because of how much it means to race here.
“It will be an incredible feeling to know that my family and friends will be there to watch me doing what I love.”
Woodberry’s success on the international stage continued last year when he competed at the World Triathlon Junior Championships in Torremolinos, Spain. There, he secured Australia’s best result, finishing an impressive 20th.
Now, in Devonport, he and Australia’s other junior athletes can secure their spots for this year’s event in Wollongong.
The Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships serve as an automatic nomination race, with the first two Australians finishers in the top four, earning a place at October’s World Triathlon Junior Championships.
“I am extremely motivated to do well and secure a spot,” Woodberry said.
“After going to Junior Worlds in 2024 and racing the best juniors in the world that certainly inspires me to continue to compete at the highest level of triathlon.”
Joining Woodberry in Devonport is a talented field featuring some of the nation’s top rising stars.
New South Wales’ Jack Caldwell enters the men’s race with strong momentum, having recently secured his second national junior title of the year at the Australian Junior Championships in Elwood.
He’ll be joined by Wade Barr (NSW) and Oscar Wootton (VIC), who claimed silver and bronze in Elwood, as well as Bowen Bamford (QLD), who represented Australia alongside Woodberry at last year’s World Triathlon Junior Championships.
In the women’s race, Aspen Anderson, the reigning Oceania Triathlon Junior Champion, will be looking to defend her title and build on an exceptional year.
The Queenslander recently claimed both the Australian Sprint Championship and Australian Junior Championship titles in Elwood, with an impressive performance at her World Triathlon Cup debut in Napier last month only adding to her growing momentum.
Claire Spicknall (NSW), who earned silver at the Australian Junior Championships, and Hannah Pollock (QLD), the bronze medallist, will also be lining up in Devonport, with Grace Henry (NSW) who competed alongside Anderson at the last year’s World Triathlon Junior Championships, also in the field.
From 14-16 March, the iconic Devonport Triathlon celebrates its 40th anniversary featuring: the 2025 World Triathlon Para Series opener, the 2025 Oceania Triathlon Championships, and the 2025 Oceania Junior Triathlon Championships.
Catch all the action from the Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships live and free on the AusTriathlon YouTube from 9:10am AEDT.
Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships Devonport
Saturday 15 March – From 9:10am AEDT
YouTube
