Bronze results for Para Triathletes in Tokyo

The Australian Para Triathlon team delivered at the Tokyo Paratriathlon World Cup, with NSW Institute of Sport athletes securing two bronze medals at the event.

Lauren Parker (NSWIS) pushed herself to the limit for a bronze medal behind fellow Australian Emily Tapp who took silver after Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida secured gold in front of a home crowd.

They were joined on the podium by Jonathan Goerlach (NSWIS) who grabbed bronze with his guide Sam Douglass (NSWIS).

Parker was very disappointed about the swim being cancelled as this is her advantage and where she is normally out of the water first.

“I found it really difficult in transition, going up the ramps in the race chair but it will not be like that for Tokyo, but the course is great, and I like the more technical bike,” said Parker.

Goerlach was very positive about the result and how he handled the conditions with guide Sam Douglas with just six seconds separating second and third.

“Disappointed it had to be a duathlon, we’re all doing triathlons and want to do a swim as well, it definitely played more to my strength having a run, bike run, with the run my strongest leg,” said Goerlach.

“Conditions were hot, I’ve only been doing steam room and sauna sessions the past few months to acclimatize.

“Didn’t have the speed to go with the Brits and the Americans at the start, lost a bit of time in transition and getting on the bike cost us a second we were only about 5-10sec in the end.

“But it was about come to try and test the course. I’m happy to get on the podium and looking forward to Lausanne in two weeks,” said Goerlach.