Africa Triathlon

10 September, 2005: Gamagori, Japan: For immediate release: On an extraordinary day of Triathlon, eight different nations won the nine medals on offer in the Junior Womens and Under 23 Mens and Womens World Triathlon Championships in Japan today.

Portugals Anais Moniz got the ball rolling with a gold medal in the Junior Womens World Championships with New Zealander Andrea Hewitt winning the Womens Under 23 title and American Jarrod Shoemaker winning the Mens Under 23 World Crown.

In steamy conditions in Japan Moniz beat New Zealander Rebecca Spence and Australias Melanie Sexton in the first race of the day.

In the following Womens Under 23 event Triathlon newcomer Hewitt beat Czech athlete Vendula Frintova and Swiss athlete Nicola Spirig

In the mens Under 23 race, Shoemaker beat Kazakhstans Danil Sapunov and Bertrand Boulch of France. 

Results of todays races, photos, and releases are available on www.triathlon.org.

2005 Mens Under 23 World Championship winner Jarrod Shoemaker said he had only taken up triathlon in the last 12 months.

I only got into this sport a year ago so I am still learning, Shoemaker said.  The guys are unbelievable, top to bottom.  Im just so excited.  This is a lot of fun.  But it was hot out there.  It was a real war of attrition.

Hewitt is another newcomer to the sport: Ive only done four Olympic distance races so I am really surprised (at winning).  But it was a good race for me. 

Hewitt, who started her athletic life as a swimmer before taking up surf lifesaving, said she was running scared on the final 10km run, terrified one of her rivals would catch her up.  I was afraid the good runners would get me.  I havent raced anyone here before really and I didnt know if they could catch me.

The under 23 Womens World Championship race was only the fourth Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run) triathlon the New Zealander has ever contested with her next a New Zealand team selection race for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in October.

World Championships action resumes on Sunday, September 11th with the Junior Mens Race kicking off the programme, followed by the Womens Elite Race and the Mens Elite Race.

For more information stay tuned to www.triathlon.org and watch the action live.  For start lists and results go to the same website.

Four Low Resolution images are attached to this press release.  They are of the three Gold Medalists in addition to one generic photo of racing.  If the High Resolution images are required, please do not hesitate to e-mail Brian Mahony, or photographer Delly Carr dcarr@sportshoot.com.au with your request.