After the year that’s been, just making it to Wollongong for the 2025 World Triathlon Championships felt like a win in itself.
The road here has been anything but smooth — injury setbacks, nerve pain, illness, and frustration — but race week was finally here, and it was one I’ll never forget.
The Parade of Nations — A Moment to Remember
It all kicked off with an incredible Opening Ceremony.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with friends in Team Australia, surrounded by athletes from all over the world, you could feel the energy in the air.
To top it off, my mate Garry was nominated as flag bearer for Team Australia — watching him proudly lead the team through the Parade of Nations was one of those moments that makes all the hours of training and rehab worthwhile.
As we walked away from the ceremony, it really hit — race week had begun.
The Sprint Race: Starting Against the Odds
Heading into the sprint race, I’ll be honest — even on race morning, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the start line.
I’d aggravated my back the week before from pushing too hard and hadn’t trained at all in the days leading up.
Even during the swim warm-up, I had to adapt and could only breathe to one side. My goal quickly shifted: survive the swim, grind through the bike, and just make it to the finish line.
The first few hundred metres of the swim were pure chaos. I’d managed to hold the back of the front pack around the first buoy, but the guy I was following lost contact, and suddenly I was alone in no-man’s land. I didn’t have the legs to bridge across, and the gap opened up.
When I hit the beach, I looked over my shoulder — no idea where I was in the field.
Thankfully, I saw plenty of people still in the water, and that gave me a lift. I wasn’t last, and that was all I needed to keep moving forward.
The Bike — Hanging On and Finding Rhythm
I started the bike leg solo, pushing hard but not going anywhere fast.
Then the group caught up, and everything changed. The pace picked up, and the mental lift was huge.
A big shoutout to Luke, who absolutely towed us around at a strong clip and helped keep the race alive when it could have easily fallen apart.
After a week of uncertainty, I was back racing — and that alone felt like a victory.
The Run — Holding It Together
The run was where things got real.
I started okay, but after about 400 metres, the wheels started to wobble.
The uphills were manageable, but the downhills were brutal — every stride sent a sharp reminder that I was on borrowed time.
But the support crew on course lifted me every lap, and when I finally crossed that finish line, it felt like one of the biggest wins of my season. A week earlier, I couldn’t even walk upstairs — now I’d finished a world championship race.
Friday Night Reset — The Wellness Factor
Post-race, I headed home — sore, stiff, and not in great shape.
Enter Lisa from Wellness On Shore, who somehow found time late that Friday night to fit me in.
She worked her magic — released the tight spots, taped me up, and somehow got me moving again.
Without that session, I genuinely don’t think I’d have been able to get out of bed the next day, let alone race again on Sunday. That visit was the turning point of the whole week.
The T100 Pro Race — World-Class Inspiration
Saturday afternoon was something special.
Watching the T100 Pro Race on home soil, seeing the best athletes in the world hammer around the same streets we’d raced earlier, was incredible.
It reminded me why I love this sport — the atmosphere, the competition, and the connection to a community that always pushes for more.
Mixed Team Relay — Chaos and Camaraderie
Sunday morning brought the Mixed Team Relay, one of the most exciting formats in triathlon — two women, two men, one super-sprint each.
It’s short, intense, and pure chaos from start to finish.
I went full gas, clawed us back up the rankings, and handed over in a strong position.
We weren’t one of the top-ranked Aussie teams on paper, but we gave it everything and finished 6th overall.
It was fast, fun, and the perfect way to close out the week.
Family, Friends, and Pride
Having my dad and stepmum make the trip from the UK to be there meant the world.
After everything that’s happened this year, to share this week with them — and with my wife (Ruth) — was something I’ll never forget.
Seeing so many friends, teammates, and fellow Aussies out there all chasing their own finish lines was inspiring.
Everyone had their own story, their own challenges, and their own version of success.
The Final Word
A massive congrats to my mate Travis Shields, who capped off an unbelievable week by winning both the Sprint and Standard Distance World Championship titles — officially a double World Champion. An amazing performance and so well deserved.
Wollongong 2025 was a week I’ll never forget — not for the results, but for the people, the resilience, and the reminder that sometimes just making it to the start line is the victory.
Back on the start line. Back in the fight.
Until the next one. 💪🇦🇺
🎥 Watch the full vid here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQJfttTkbrw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Wollongong World Champs 2025 🇦🇺💚💛
What a week — racing, resilience, and representing the Green & Gold on home soil.
From the Parade of Nations where my mate Garry proudly carried the Aussie flag, to crossing the finish line in the sprint race when I wasn’t sure I’d even make the start… this one had it all.
A week earlier, I couldn’t walk upstairs — yet somehow managed to get through both the Sprint and the Mixed Team Relay, thanks to some serious help from the crew around me.
Big thanks to Lisa at @wellnessonshore, who fit me in late Friday night after the sprint, worked her magic, taped me up and somehow got me ready to go again. Without that, Sunday wouldn’t have happened. 🙏
The T100 pro race was unreal; seeing the world’s best on the same streets we’d raced earlier was next-level.
And to cap it off, our Aussie relay team went full gas to finish 6th overall! Short, sharp, and pure chaos, but what a ride!
Having my dad and stepmum travel all the way from the UK made it even more special. After a year of setbacks, to share that moment with family, friends and teammates was everything.
Massive congrats to @travisshields now officially a double World Champion after winning both the Sprint and Standard distance titles. Absolutely incredible. 👏
It wasn’t the week I expected… but it’s one I’ll never forget.
Back on the start line. Back in the fight. 💪🇦🇺
💬 PLUS — if this journey has you thinking about your own strength, recovery or training, text Emma at 0415 246 366 and mention code BENTAYLORWTC for $30 off any in-house service at Wellness On Shore.
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