In Townsville, Australia, from August 15 to 25, the World Triathlon Multisport Championship is taking place, which includes duathlon, cross triathlon, cross duathlon, aquathlon, long-distance triathlon, and aquabike. Our country was represented in the aquathlon by Maryna Kyryk, who took to the starting line.

This time, the aquathlon had a new format, starting with a 2.5-kilometer running segment. Next, the athletes completed a 1-kilometer swimming segment and finished the competition with a final running segment. Out of 15 participants, the first running segment left only seven among the leaders, including Maryna. The competition continued in the water, where no one could match the Ukrainian athlete. Kyryk held a 20-second advantage over two rivals. The other women from the leading group after the first segment in the water fell behind and continued to compete for points in the world ranking.

The Australian competitors, Claire Spicknall and Kiara Mooney, could not challenge the leader in the final 2.5 kilometers of the running segment. Maryna Kyryk crossed the finish line first. Claire finished half a minute behind the world aquathlon champion, and Kiara took the bronze medal in the world championship.

“The sun was great,” Maryna said at the finish. “I am very happy. I didn’t expect that before the race as it’s the first time I’ve done this format – run-swim-run – so before the race I really was excited and didn’t know what to expect, but I liked it. I did my best and I’m really happy I won.”

Victory in the world championship brings 400 points to the World Triathlon Aquathlon Rankings. 300 points are awarded for winning a continental championship and 100 points to the national champion. Maryna Kyryk, the 2022 Ukrainian triathlon (aquathlon) champion, finished fifth at the 2022 European Championship and second last year. This season, the Ukrainian athlete placed ninth at the European Championship and claimed victory at the world championship. Maryna Kyryk has the maximum number of scoring events from last season and two events from this year’s competitions, totaling 759 points. The Ukrainian athlete moves into the lead in the World Triathlon Aquathlon Rankings!

Last year, Mayna finished fifth in the world aquathlon ranking, and in 2022, the Ukrainian athlete was third in the World Triathlon Aquathlon Rankings.