YOKOHAMA, Jpn— Martin Sobey delivered the race of his life in his first start of the World Triathlon Championship Series in 2026, finishing seventh against a stacked international field in Yokohama, Japan.
The 29-year-old from Charlottetown, P.E.I. demonstrated his run fitness, bolting through the field of 41 throughout the final 10-kilometre final leg into his first top-10 finish of his career on the elite circuit. He clocked a combine time of 1:40:31.
“This is definitely a career breakthrough result for me,” said Sobey,” who was racing for the fifth time of his career in Yokohama. “The key today was both my experience and a very focused block of training through the winter. I know the demands of the course, and I believed in my fitness.”
He sure did.
One week removed from celebrating a bronze-medal sprint finish for Canada in the mixed relay on the World Triathlon Cup where he took on the anchor leg, the feisty Canuck battled from the back of the pack to put his name up alongside the best in the sport.
Sobey came out of the two-lap, 1.5-kilometre swim well back of the leaders in 30th spot. He dug in and jumped into a large pack that formed on the 10-lap bike course. He came out of second transition in 21st onto the run which proved decisive.
Canada’s Maritime man steadily picked his way through the field in the first lap on the 10-kilometre run where he climbed into the top 10 and stayed there for the remaining three laps.
“This course is an ocean swim, a technical bike and a fast run – all of which I like,” said Sobey. “But what I like the most about Japan is the culture and people which creates great energy leading into the race.”
Australia’s Matthew Hauser found the energy on Saturday, taking first spot on the podium with a time of 1:38:48. Brazil’s Miguel Hidalgo was second at 1:39:08, while Luke Willian, also of Australia, rounded out the men’s podium with a time of 1:39:16.
Canada’s Leanne Taylor was fifth in her first race since winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The Oak Bluff, Man., resident, who took time off to have a baby boy, clocked a fifth-place time of 1:05:36 in the women’s PTWC classification.
“It felt great to be back on the course and to have Ollie there for my first race back made it even more special,” said Taylor. “It was a hard road to make to the startline by I’m so happy I did.”
Taylor was fourth out of the 750-metre swim but dropped one spot in the second lap of the 20-kilometre bike where she remained until she crossed the finish line at the end of a five-kilometre run course.
Australia’s Laren Parker won the classification with a time of 59:39. Emelia Perry, of the United States, placed second at 1:01:24. Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira finished one second back at 1:01:25 for third place.
WTCS Men’s Race – Complete Results:
