SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan—Canada’s Charles Paquet delivered a breakthrough performance on Saturday, earning his first career World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) podium with a hard-fought bronze medal in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Paquet, 29, put together a complete race against a world-class field, crossing the line in 1:43:31 after a dramatic sprint finish. Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca claimed gold (1:43:43), while Germany’s Henry Graf secured silver (1:43:37), with all three athletes locked in a battle until the closing stages of the 10-kilometre foot race.
“It’s amazing to start the season like this,” said Paquet. “Last year I was disappointed not to podium having been close a few times, so it’s a great feeling. With Abu Dhabi cancelled I had a good training block in Girona, good volume and now I’m looking ahead of WTCS Alghero.”
The Canadian exited the 1.5-kilometre swim in 12th position before settling into the middle of a tightly packed lead group of 13 athletes during the opening lap of the five-lap bike course. Maintaining composure throughout the ride, Paquet positioned himself well heading into the second transition.
Coming out of T2 in eighth place, 27 seconds behind the leaders, Paquet quickly closed the gap on the 10-kilometre run. After the opening lap, a decisive lead group of six athletes formed, with Paquet firmly in contention.
At the halfway mark, the pace intensified, dropping two athletes and leaving Paquet shoulder-to-shoulder with Vilaca and Graf. The trio remained locked together until the final 400 metres, when Vilaca surged ahead, followed by Graf, leaving Paquet to secure third place – just eight seconds off the winning time.
With the result, Paquet becomes just the second Canadian man to reach a WTCS podium. His 2024 Olympic teammate, Tyler Mislawchuk, previously earned bronze at the Montreal stop in 2019.
Canadian women have also found success on the WTCS circuit, with Joanna Brown securing bronze in 2019 in Bermuda, Kirsten Sweetland claimed bronze in Hamburg in 2014, while Paula Findlay won five WTCS races between 2010 and 2011.
Paquet’s podium marks a significant milestone in a steady climb through the international ranks. The Quebec native placed 13th at both the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the 2025 WTCS Final. He has recorded two previous fifth-place finishes on the elite series.
A proven performer across all stages of his development, Paquet was part of Canada’s silver medal-winning mixed relay team at the 2019 Pan American Games and claimed silver at the 2016 World Junior Championships.
Quebec City’s Mathis Beaulieu was not able to start the race.
Complete World Triathlon Championship Series Samarkand Results
