Two young Australian triathletes strive for spots at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Two young Australian triathletes strive for spots at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as their journey for selection took another important step.
Matt Hauser and Matilda Offord both started their 2022 campaign with victory in the Oceania Cup and Australian Championships in the Devonport Short-Course Triathlon, Tasmania.
Matt Hauser, the 23-year-old Tokyo Olympian, raced at home in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and was a member of the gold medal winning Mixed Relay team, and finished fourth in the individual race at the Gold Coast Games.
Hauser’s push for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games selection started with the successful defence of his Australian and Oceania short-course triathlon title in a winning time 53 minutes 34 seconds.
It was a handy boost for Hauser ahead of the Gold Coast Triathlon on April 3, the first automatic nomination race for the Birmingham Games triathlon team.
Matilda Offord who won the under-23 category at Devonport last year, stepped up this year to take out the senior women’s race in a winning time of one hour one minute 53 seconds, with 2018 Commonwealth Games triathlete Charlotte McShane second a further 28 seconds behind.
This week-end the 22-year-old Aussie is seeking an automatic Australian under-23 selection at the Mooloolaba Triathlon for the world titles.
Having won her inaugural senior elite race Offord will be aiming high and, like Hauser, will also be setting her sights on the Gold Coast Triathlon on April 3, the first automatic nomination race for the Birmingham Games triathlon team.
With covid restrictions all but gone, this July will see the Commonwealths top triathletes from down-under descend on Birmingham, the host of the UK’s biggest sporting spectacle since the London 2012 Games. The 29th July will see the men’s and women’s individual events take place with the mixed relay race on the 31st July.
