Reigning World Champions Francis And Parker Top Podium In Hamburg

Australia’s Para triathletes have rounded out the 2026 World Triathlon Para Series with two gold medals and a silver at the series finale in Hamburg, Germany, led by reigning world champions Anu Francis and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Lauren Parker.

Marking the first time Para athletes had raced on Hamburg’s renowned triathlon course, the fourth and final round of the series brought together the world’s best in hot and testing conditions around Alster Lake. Australia responded with another assured team performance, collecting three medals and a series of top eight finishes to close the international circuit on a positive note.

Francis once again demonstrated why she sits at the top of the PTS2 classification, producing a courageous performance to claim gold despite dislocating both her shoulder and elbow in the days leading into competition.

Parker also finished the series in winning form, claiming the PTWC title just days after being named Australia’s Female Paralympian of the Year. The victory was another reminder of the remarkable consistency that has defined her career, with the dual Summer and Winter Paralympian clocking a winning time of 01:03:57 and holding off American Kendall Gretsch by 14 seconds.

Australia’s third medal came through Sam Harding and guide Aaron Royle, who delivered a strong performance to finish second in the PTVI event. The pair crossed the line just 32 seconds behind world No.1 Dave Ellis and guide Luke Pollard, continuing their consistent form on the international stage.

Elsewhere, NSWIS Para Unit supported athlete Jack Gibson continued his encouraging progression on the world stage, narrowly missing a maiden World Triathlon Para Series podium with a fourth place finish in the PTS4 class. Maggie Sandles and guide Lauren Sprague finished fifth in the PTVI event, while Jack Howell finished seventh in PTS5 and Matthew Engesser (NSWIS) was eighth in PTS4.

Full Australian Results – World Triathlon Para Series, Hamburg, Germany:

1st:  Anu Francis – PTS2 

1st: Lauren Parker – PTWC (NSWIS)

2nd: Sam Harding (Guide Aaron Royle) – PTVI 

4th: Jack Gibson – PTS4 (NSWIS)

5th: Maggie Sandles (Guide Lauren Sprague) – PTVI 

7th: Jack Howell – PTS5 

8th: Matthew Engesser – PTS4 (NSWIS)