Most 17-year-olds are preparing for their final years at school, expanding their social circles, and trying to balance homework with parties.

But New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Para Unit supported triathlete Jack Gibson is preparing for the next World Triathlon Para Series in Hamburg, Germany – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’d much rather be in Germany than at a party, just knowing that the hard work is going to pay off,” Gibson said.

“I train 13 times a week, every morning and afternoon – except Sunday – then I try to do some homework around there.”

And when race day arrives, Gibson relishes the pain.

“I’m normally quite good from the swim. The ride’s okay, I can push harder. Then it’s on with the run I’m like, ‘Okay…’ I die a lot through there,” he laughed.

“But it’s good. I love the feeling of dying and just trying to push through and get to finish that race.”

Supported by NSWIS and the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS), the Shell Cove athlete is already racing shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best.

Making his Australian debut at the World Triathlon Para Series in Devonport, Tasmania, in March, Gibson announced himself on the international stage, finishing fourth against a field featuring three Paralympians, including reigning world champion Jack Howell.

The result transformed what once felt like a dream into a genuine pathway towards the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

“It’s just opened everything up for me, I think,” Gibson said.

“I didn’t really think LA was a chance, but after that performance, just knowing where I am in the world, I guess it could be on the cards.”

For Gibson, Devonport remains the perfect race.

“Devonport is still the best race I’ve ever done. I didn’t make any mistakes, it was just perfect,” he said.

“The swim [was a highlight]. I rode a good line, which no one was really expecting.”

The performance gave the teenager confidence that he belongs among the world’s best – and that there is still another level to unlock.

“[The result] was even better knowing that if I can get specialised equipment, like a time trial bike, it could improve my time by up to two minutes, which might have put me on the podium in Devonport,” he said.

“I think it’s pretty cool that I could get that result even with the bike I had.”

Gibson discovered Para Triathlon through his friend Taj Spicer and his father, coach Rob Spicer. What began as once-a-week sessions on a mountain bike soon turned into a hobby, and then a passion.

Since joining the IAS, Gibson has been fully committed to the sport over the past two years.

And despite training 13 times a week, the teenager still looks forward to every session.

“I enjoy it so much that I look forward to training every afternoon and morning,” he said. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to get up in the morning.’ It’s kind of looking forward to swimming.”

“I did swimming when I was younger, and I just got bored of doing the same thing.”

“With the different sports that Triathlon offers, you can’t get bored; you can just always have fun. And if you’re not really enjoying one sport, you can always just switch to the other and have as much fun.”

Since then, Gibson has claimed back-to-back national titles in the men’s PTS3 class in 2023 and 2024 and was recognised as the 2025 IAS Brett Stibners Award recipient for Para Athlete of the Year.

Most recently, he won the PTS4 men’s class at the Oceania Triathlon Para Championships on the Gold Coast, finishing ahead of 2025 champion Matthew Engesser.

Now preparing for Hamburg, Gibson has taken on advice from Howell, who encouraged him to embrace the experience.

“Jack told me to stay calm and just stay relaxed,” Gibson said.

“Most people in their debut for Australia might get worked up or a bit nervous, but you just have to stay calm and just enjoy the moment, which really helps.”

With the NSWIS Para Unit hosting a talent identification weekend in Wollongong early July, Gibson hopes more young Para athletes discover the opportunities available to them.

“Just enjoy it,” he said. “You don’t want to do it if you don’t enjoy it. You’ve just always got to have fun in life.”

Images: Illawarra Academy of Sport

Tags Jack Gibson

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