German Paralympian Martin Schulz produced the run of his life to earn the victory, in the Men's PTS5 race, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the same Para Triathlon medal that he was awarded five years ago in Rio 2016. Along with him on the podium was British para triathlete George Peasgood and Rio 2016 silver medallist Stefan Daniel of Canada.
The sprint distance race, consisting
of a single 750m lap of the Bay was followed by four 5km laps of a flat and
technical bike course towards Ariake Tennis Park then heading north over Fujimi
Bridge and doubling back towards Odaiba. The final run segment featured 4 laps
of 1.25km, finishing in front of the grandstands on Odaiba Bay.
After the first lap of the bike
segment, George Peasgood was powering ahead, with a 34-second lead to Schulz,
who was sitting in second. Stefan Daniel of Canada chasing in 3rd.
George Peasgood headed out of the
final transition of the day in top position and out onto the 5km run segment,
but there was no doubt that he was well aware that the force of Schulz was
within striking distance. Stefan was showing a mighty performance, on the hunt
in third on course. Chris Hammer of the USA and Brazil’s Ronan Cordeiro jostled
for positions in fourth and fifth place.
2016 Paralympic champion Shulz made
his move on the second lap of the run, to take charge of the men’s race in
Tokyo. The German para triathlete is renowned for his striking run segment and
he was making an impact on the field and there was no looking back.
Peasgood, who had led majority of the
race dropped back into second but still looked strong and in control of his
position. At the this final stage of the race, Canada’s Daniel, who secured the
silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, was bronze medal at Tokyo 2020
but didn’t quite have the legs to chase down the front men, despite displaying
incredible form out on the run course.
On the final lap of the run, there
was no backing down for Shulz and just as he did in Rio 2016, he came flying
down the finish chute, completely immersed in the moment, as he earned the
Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Para Triathlon champion title, in the men’s PTS5 event.
“It feels amazing. After Rio, not
everything worked well. But this was my goal. I worked every day for this. This
is what I expected from myself and what others expected from me. After the
second lap in the run I knew I could do this again.”
“I pushed for it from the very first
metres in the swim. I was very happy I could compete with the first group in
the swim, since I have been struggling with swimming previously. Thanks to my
swimming coach I have improved over the last two years. That has helped me a
lot today.
“My bike was really good as well. The
first lap in the run wasn’t that great, but then I managed to get better. It
was a bit of a runner’s high, I think.”
A brilliant performance saw Great
Britain’s George Peasgood crossed the Paralympic Games to earn a remarkable
silver medal, elated with the result at the highest level of para triathlon.
“I am absolutely over the moon.
Getting here was a medal in its own ride. Over the last couple of months I have
had proper low moments and times. To get here was an absolute privilege. And
it’s the Paralympics, I mean it’s the best of the best.”
“To come away with a medal has not
sunk in, and it probably won’t for a while. It’s just absolutely amazing. I was
coming to this in good form.”
“It was just all about holding on to
the run, and he came past me. I tried to just give it everything, and it was
just a matter of holding it to the finish line and get that silver.”
Canada’s Daniel put on a great show
to cap the men’s Paralympic podium with a brave bronze.
“Overall I probably had a much better
race than in Rio and I came away with a worse result. It just shows the sport
and the athletes grows every year. I am gutted right now, as I wanted more. But
I gave everything I had today, so I have to be proud.”
“I think I can grow from this. I know
it wasn’t the result that I wanted, maybe it wasn’t my best race, but I fought
as hard as I could.
“Right now it hurts, it’s tough, but
I will be proud of it eventually. This will definitely keep motivating me. I
know exactly where I can improve. Paris (2024 Paralympic Games) will be coming
quick, so I will prepare and reset for that. I really tried to stay within
myself, tried to manage the heat. The heat is the real deal here. That was
definitely a factor, and everyone was definitely suffering out there.”
The women’s PTS5 race followed on the
schedule, to close the Para Triathlon competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic
Games.
Results: PTS5 Men
1.Martin Schulz GER 00:58:10
2.George Peasgood GBR 00:58:55
3.Stefan Daniel CAN 00:59:22
4.Chris Hammer USA 00:59:28
5.Ronan Cordeiro BRA 01:01:22
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
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