HAMBURG, Ger.—Canada’s Stefan Daniel returned to the World Triathlon Para Series podium on Sunday, charging to the silver medal in Hamburg, Germany for his first podium finish of the 2026 season.
The 29-year-old from Calgary delivered a complete race in the men’s PTS5 classification, staying with the lead pack through the 750-metre swim before battling over the technically demanding 20-kilometre bike course that wound through Hamburg’s historic streets. Daniel then hung on for the five-kilometre run to secure second place at 57:52.
“I was pleasantly surprised. This whole year has been about taking a step back. I’ve been working, coaching and enjoying things out of triathlon. I am still very active, but I came in today not overly fit other than going for easy runs. I just wanted to have fun doing a triathlon, and I have always wanted to race Hamburg,” said Daniel.
The soft-spoken Canuck may have sent a quiet warning shot to the world not to count him out.
Struggling to stay healthy over the last couple of years, the new game plan to stay fresh and prepared for the final two-year charge to LA 2028 may be paying off.
“I found some feet at the front of the swim. There was a group of four of us that came out of the water together. (Martin) Schulz and I put some time on the guys on the bike,” said Daniel. “We came off the bike together and I went with him for a lap but then held it back a little knowing I can’t maintain this pace for long because I haven’t put in the training.”
Daniel’s longtime rival, Germany’s Martin Schulz, edged the Canadian for the victory in front of the home crowd, crossing the line in 57:39. Portugal’s Filipe Marques rounded out the podium in 58:24.
“This is a good sign. The podium was a stretch goal today. I wasn’t expecting it at all,” added Daniel. “Being healthy is so, so important and I know the fitness will come from that. I was just able to race a bit freer mentally. I had more fun with it and that goes a long way. I was in the front all the way so I’m happy with that, but we’ll continue to take things slow.”
Canada’s Paralympic bronze medallist Leanne Taylor continued her return to international racing after taking the 2025 season away to have her first child.
The Oak Bluff, Man. resident was in contention for a medal throughout the women’s wheelchair race before finishing just shy of the podium in fourth at 1:08:37.
Australia’s Lauren Parker captured the gold medal in 1:03:57.
Later in the day, Canada fielded a dynamic quartet of Desirae Ridenour (Cowichan Bay, B.C.), Tyler Mislawchuk (Oak Bluff, Man.), Isla Britton (Montreal) and Charles Paquet (Port-Cartier, Que.) at the 2026 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships.
The Canadian team combined for a ninth-place finish in 1:21:10 in the fast-paced event, where each athlete completes a 300-metre swim, six-kilometre bike and 1.5-kilometre run before tagging the next teammate.
France claimed the 2026 World Triathlon Mixed Relay world title in 1:18:37.
