(Credit: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
Kristian Blummenfelt’s star has been on the rise for a number of years now, but it was his performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that really solidified his status as one of the top male triathletes in the world.
Blummenfelt, who hails from Bergen, Norway, put together a masterful race in Tokyo to take the gold medal in the individual event. His dominant performance on the bike leg helped him build a lead that he never relinquished, crossing the finish line with a comfortable margin of victory.
With his Olympic gold medal, Blummenfelt added to an already impressive resume that includes multiple World Triathlon Series wins and a victory at the prestigious Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
Blummenfelt is known for his strength on the bike and his ability to push the pace in all three disciplines. His aggressive racing style has earned him a legion of fans and made him a favorite to watch in every race he enters.
As he continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, Blummenfelt will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Kristian Blummenfelt’s career highlights
Olympic Games gold medallist, 2020
Ironman 70.3 World Champion
Multiple World Triathlon Series wins Chris McCormack
Chris McCormack celebrates winning the 2007 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Chris McCormack, affectionately known as ‘Macca’, is one of the most colorful characters in the history of triathlon. With his larger-than-life personality and aggressive racing style, McCormack has left an indelible mark on the sport.
The Australian’s career highlights include two Ironman World Championship titles, in 2007 and 2010, as well as numerous victories at other prestigious races around the world.
McCormack’s aggressive racing style and never-say-die attitude made him a fan favorite, and he was known for pushing the limits of what was possible in the sport.
Despite some controversial moments in his career, McCormack’s talent and determination cannot be denied, and he remains one of the greatest triathletes of all time.
Chris McCormack’s career highlights
2 x Ironman World Champion – 2007, 2010
Multiple victories at prestigious races around the world
Known for his aggressive racing style and larger-than-life personality
Simon Lessing, born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1971, is a four-time ITU World Champion and one of the greatest triathletes of all time.
Lessing first came to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, dominating the ITU World Cup circuit and winning his first ITU World Championship in 1992. He would go on to win a total of four ITU World Championship titles, firmly establishing himself as one of the sport’s legends.
Known for his incredible speed and endurance, Lessing was a fierce competitor who was known for his dominance on the bike and run legs of races. His competitive drive and mental toughness set him apart from his peers, and he was able to consistently perform at the highest level throughout his career.
Lessing’s career highlights include numerous ITU World Cup victories, multiple ITU World Championship titles, and a reputation as one of the most successful and respected triathletes of his generation. His influence on the sport can still be felt today, as he continues to inspire a new generation of triathletes to push their limits and strive for greatness.
Simon Lessing’s legacy as a triathlon legend is secure, and his impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.
Despite his setbacks, Javier Gomez remains a dominant force in the world of triathlon, with his sights set on conquering the Ironman distance and adding to his already impressive list of achievements. His determination and skill have earned him a well-deserved place among the all-time greats of the sport.
Scott’s rivalry with Mark Allen is legendary, with their epic battle at the 1989 Ironman World Championship known as the Iron War. The two men pushed each other to their limits, with Allen eventually coming out on top by just 58 seconds.
Scott’s impact on the sport goes beyond his race results. He was one of the first athletes to focus on the importance of nutrition and hydration in endurance events, revolutionizing the way athletes approach fueling during races.
After retiring from professional racing, Scott has continued to be a presence in the triathlon world as a coach and mentor. His influence can be seen in the success of the athletes he has coached and the continued evolution of the sport.
Dave Scott’s career highlights
Six-time Ironman World Champion – 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
Ironman World Championship course record holder – 8:10:13 in 1989
Iron War participant – 1989 against Mark Allen
Revolutionized the approach to nutrition and hydration in endurance sports
Continues to be a coach and mentor in the triathlon world. Allen was inspired by her determination and immediately set his sights on the Ironman World Championships in Kona.
His first attempt at the race came in 1982, where he finished 11th, but it was the start of a long and successful career in the sport. In 1989, he finally broke Dave Scott’s stranglehold on the Kona title, after years of coming close but just falling short.
His battles with Scott in the late 80s and early 90s are the stuff of legend, with their epic duels pushing each other to new levels of performance. Allen’s mental strength and ability to push through pain barriers became his trademark, as he continued to dominate the sport well into his 30s.
His sixth and final Kona victory came in 1995, at the age of 37, making him the oldest winner of the race at that time. Allen retired from professional racing shortly after, leaving behind a legacy of grit, determination, and sportsmanship that few can match.
Mark Allen’s career highlights
6 x Ironman World Champion – 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995
Nice Triathlon winner – 10 consecutive years
Powerman Zofingen winner – 1993
ITU World Champion – 1989
These three athletes have left an indelible mark on the sport of triathlon, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps. Their achievements will be remembered for years to come, as they continue to inspire the next generation of triathletes to dream big and chase their own goals.
El evento hizo que Allen derramara lágrimas y se inscribiera en la próxima edición de la carrera en octubre de 1982.
Allen no logró terminar esa primera aventura en los campos de lava de Hawái, pero pronto comenzó a avanzar en Hawái, terminando quinto en 1984 y quedando segundo en 1986. ¿El ganador cada vez? Su compatriota californiano Dave Scott.
La rivalidad llegó a su punto álgido en 1987 con algunas disputas previas a la carrera en los medios que continuaron durante la carrera, con Allen tocando los talones de Scott en la natación.
Después de 26km del maratón, Allen había creado una ventaja de 4:30 minutos antes de golpear el muro, sucumbiendo a paso de caminata en el kilómetro 35, cuando Scott lo pasó al otro lado de un camión de televisión. Allen terminó segundo y necesitó tratamiento médico después de la carrera debido a una hemorragia interna durante la carrera.
El Kona de 1988 fue uno para olvidar para Allen (dos pinchazos) y Scott (problemas de rodilla), con otro miembro del Big Four, Scott Molina, llevándose el título. El escenario estaba listo para una batalla titánica en 1989.
La 13ª edición de Ironman Hawaii tuvo lugar el 14 de octubre y, al igual que en 1987, la pareja estuvo prácticamente inseparable durante la carrera. Como hombre que confía en lo intangible más que la mayoría, Allen cita una fuente inusual de inspiración detrás de su victoria.
“En el punto del medio maratón, estaba listo para rendirme. Había estado allí seis veces antes y nunca había ganado, y ahora parecía que Dave continuaría su racha de victorias. Pero luego recordé la imagen de un chamán Huichol de 110 años, Don José Matsuwa. Tenía una mirada pacífica pero poderosa que decía, ‘Estoy feliz de estar vivo’. ¡Y de repente, estaba feliz de estar compitiendo codo a codo con el mejor chico del mundo!”
En el kilómetro 37 del maratón, Allen hizo su movimiento para producir un maratón de 2:40 horas y destrozar el récord de Kona de Scott en 20 minutos.
Bob Babbitt pronto bautizó la carrera como Iron War; se dedicaron libros enteros al enfrentamiento y la pareja sigue siendo preguntada al respecto más de 25 años después.
Allen igualaría el récord de Scott de seis títulos del Campeonato Mundial Ironman, estableciendo otro récord de Kona con su tiempo de finalización de 8:07 horas en 1993 y llevándose su último título en Hawái en 1995 en otro enfrentamiento épico, esta vez con el alemán Thomas Hellriegel.
Logros destacados en la carrera de Mark Allen
6 x Campeón del Mundo Ironman – 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995
Ganador del Campeonato Mundial ITU, 1989
Ganador del Powerman Zofingen, 1993
10 x Ganador del Triatlón de Niza
Algunas de las partes del texto provienen del libro de Matthew Baird, ex editor de características de 220, “Triatlón: Un tributo a los mejores triatletas, circuitos y equipamiento del mundo” de Aurum Press.