I followed Terenzo Bozzone’s 2017 Kona closer than most. Whilst the world’s eyes were focused on the Lange-Sanders pass, my attention was fixed on the best and closest battle of the day, a few kilometres back on the Queen K. Terenzo Bozzone and my husband James, ‘toed and froed’ for about twenty kilometres in an extraordinary battle for fifth place. Sometimes silent, sometimes talking, sometimes grunting, the two men shared a very special experience. I know the dialogue, the play-fight and the real battle cries that played out in that hour. Later I learnt of the respect, the sportsmanship and the class in defeat of the man we know as ’Tee’.

Since Kona 2017 the thoroughbred Bozzone has been unmatched in consistent race performances. His winning streak is unprecedented in long distance triathlon history.

He started with a remarkable 2nd place at Island House Triathlon, Terenzo beating the world’s best short course athletes at their own game, long since having left Olympic distance racing. Then, back to his day job, he won Ironman Busselton, was 2nd in Ironman 70.3 Bahrain and (hang on there’s more), won Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos. All in time to be home for Christmas.

The negative consequences of an early-2018 forced break bought on by a harsh virus were already undetectable by March. In a similar race binge, Bozzone rewrote some more Ironman history, winning three Ironman events in fifteen days: Ironman New Zealand, Ironman 70.3 Bariloche, and Ironman 70.3 Campeche. Bish-bosh-bash. Terenzo likes his race blocks and it is obvious to see why.

Concentrated race months, interspersed with long training blocks on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2018 have hinted at Terenzo’s focus to make the Kona podium. A bronze at Ironman Cairns in June was a good indicator of his ability to deliver just that in 2018…

But the best-laid plans … an horrific ‘hit and run’ incident whilst training in New Zealand has left Terenzo’s 2018 preparation in tatters. For one scary moment on July 3, race results, Kona preparation, even triathlon itself, became irrelevant as the world waited for news of Terenzo’s condition.

When word finally came it was that Terenzo was seriously injured but in recovery. Hand surgery, face surgery, bruising and broken ribs are difficult injuries for anybody. For a world-class sportsman, 3 months from the World Championships they are devastating. Those injuries, coupled with serious concussion and the emotional fall out, have delivered the most difficult setback of Terenzo’s long career.

Nobody expected Terenzo Bozzone to be on the start line in October 2018. But he will be.

Nobody expects him to be fully prepared for the most competitive race of the season. In fact nobody would blame him if he never wanted to ride a bike again. The world, however, should know by now not to underestimate Terenzo Bozzone. He will surprise us every time. His presence in Kona 2018, racing for the Bahrain Endurance team, is a show of just how inspirational sport and its heroes can be far beyond sport itself. He is the pride of the team.

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Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

Lauren Parker Leads Bahrain Victorious 13’s Medal Haul at World Championships

The Bahrain Victorious 13 captured an impressive medal haul at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong, Australia this weekend.

Lauren Parker led the campaign, winning two medals including her fifth paratriathlon world title.

The paratriathlon races opened the elite competition on Saturday, where Parker once again proved untouchable. She led from the front, exiting the 750-metre swim first, hammering the 20-kilometre handbike leg with the day’s fastest split, and then powering through the 5-kilometre wheelchair run to cross the line 70 seconds clear of her nearest rival.

Unbeaten all year, Parker’s home victory carried extra meaning as she reclaimed the crown she relinquished last season.

“Everyone was so supportive out there and it definitely made me push a little bit harder,” Parker said post-race. “I wanted to get back on top again and I really worked hard for this one and I’m just happy to get it done.”

She also revealed her next sporting ambition: to qualify for the Winter Paralympic Games, with ongoing training in cross-country skiing and biathlon.

On Sunday, Parker added to her tally with a silver medal in the Para Mixed Relay World Championships, helping the Australian team to a podium finish.

In the men’s elite race, Vasco Vilaça placed fifth to secure the overall World Triathlon Championship Series bronze medal, returning to the world podium for the first time since earning silver at the one-day championship in Hamburg in 2020.

Emma Lombardi also delivered a standout performance, claiming bronze in the women’s race – her best finish of the season – and vaulting seven places to 11th overall in the Series standings. She swam into the pointy end on the 1.5-kilometre swim alongside compatriot Cassandre Beaugrand, then attacked on the 40-kilometre bike to lead onto the 10-kilometre run where she battled against the eventual winner and series champion Lisa Tertsch and a hard-charging Bianca Seregni to hold onto the final spot on the podium.

Beaugrand, who had stayed in the lead pack throughout the swim and bike, was forced to withdraw on the run to conclude her season ranked seventh overall.

The results in Wollongong wrap up the Bahrain Victorious 13’s short course season. The team now turns its attention to middle distance racing with the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain and Ironman 70.3 Bahrain on the horizon, as well as the T100 Tour’s final two stops in Dubai and Qatar.

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Kat Matthews Runs to Silver and a Record Finish in Kona

Kat Matthews Runs to Silver and a Record Finish in Kona

Kat Matthews led the charge for the Bahrain Victorious 13 on Saturday, taking her third IRONMAN World Championship silver medal at the historic final all-women’s race in Kona, Hawaii. The British star also set a new run course record on the way to her first-ever...

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