Torremolinos, Esp.—Canada’s Stefan Daniel seized his sixth World Triathlon Para Championship title on what will go down as a day of redemption.
Sweet, sweet redemption.
“Obviously the last month was really difficult for me, but today’s performance I was able to remind myself that I’m still a good athlete, and I was just so proud that I was able to rebound and have a good one,” said Daniel, who won silver (2016) and bronze (2020) Paralympic medals.
Just six weeks ago, the 27-year-old Calgarian was poised to complete his set of Paralympic medals while leading the world’s best on a rapid journey past Paris’ iconic landmarks until the fourth lap of the bike course where his gold-medal hopes came to a crashing halt on the final hairpin turn.
Immediately marking the World Championships on his calendar as his next big shot, Daniel would not be denied on a glorious race day in Spain.
“Today I just felt a sense of relief when I crossed the finish line. This will make the off-season so much sweeter,” added Daniel. “It was redemption.”
The University of Calgary business graduate completed the sprint-distance test in a winning time of 59:26 to win the men’s standing classification.
Australia’s Jack Howell was second at 1:00:14 and Portugal’s Filipe Marques taking the bronze with a time of 1:00:43.
Daniel demonstrated his grit while controlling his destiny on Friday, racing aggressively throughout the triple-sport test.
“I think in years past I’d always get complacent and wait for the run to try to take the lead,” he said. “Para triathlon has just got to competitive over the last couple of years, and I can’t do that anymore. I had to shift how I was racing. I wanted to ride aggressively, take risks and put my nose out there a bit.”
This approach may have cost him a trip to the top of the Paralympic podium in Paris, but to finally have his moment on Friday, after years of building his body back up to elite form from following a series of injuries, was priceless.
“I was able to show my fitness today. I swam close to the front – just 20 seconds down – and road hard for the first couple of laps where I was able to get the lead and maintain it,” he added. “On the run, I gave it all I had. The body isn’t 100 per cent after a long summer block. I just gritted my teeth, dug deep and got the best out of it.”
Daniel’s impressive resume at the premier triathlon events now includes two Paralympic medals to go along with six gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the World Championships.
Winnipeg’s Leanne Taylor also suited up for her first race since capturing the bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in the women’s wheelchair classification.
Working her way through a whirlwind month, the 32-year-old brought all she had to the World Championship start line where she once again found herself in a fight for the medals.
Taylor completed the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run course in fourth place with a time of 1:10:07.
“This wasn’t exactly the finish I was hoping for, but I am very proud of my season,” said Taylor. “The hard work that have put in over the years paid off when it mattered most. I’m now looking forward to a break before the 2025 season.”
Kendall Gretsch, of the United States, won the classification with a time off 1:07:31. Brazil’s Jessica Ferreira was second at 1:07:45, while Australia’s Lauren Parker crossed the line in third place with a time of 1:08:57.
The World Championships continue throughout the weekend in Spain with elite and age group racing along with the junior/23 mixed relays.
Complete World Triathlon Para Championship Results
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