Our paratriathlon team delivered this morning at the Tokyo Paratriathlon World Cup as Emily Tapp (PTWC) kept her cool in the scorching conditions to win silver over the course she hopes to compete at next year. 

While Lauren Parker (PTWC) pushed herself to the limit for a bronze medal behind Tapp after Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida secured gold in front of a home crowd.

They were joined on the podium by Devonport World Cup silver medallist, Jonathan Goerlach (PTVI) who grabbed bronze.

In other results David Bryant (PTS5) finished in 5th place, Clint Pickin (PTS4) 6th both said they will take positives away from the racing and valuable experience to work on.

Rio Paralympic gold medallist Katie Kelly was another that did not finish today, struggling with some niggling injury that she will return home to Australia to rectify before heading over to the World Championships in Lausanne.

The day wasn’t what Rio Paralympian Kate Doughty expected, unable to produce the performance she wanted withdrawing on the run.

Tokyo served up its most challenging weather conditions of the week for the Tokyo Paratriathlon World Cup this morning with temperatures registering 30.5 degrees and no cloud cover.

The race format was altered to a duathlon (2.25km run | 20km cycle | 5km run) due to the water quality results.

The PTWC category were first underway and Tsuchida’s para-marathon background saw her take the early lead on the first run leg from Tapp and Parker before Tapp took control on the bike leading into T2 with just 22 seconds separating all three.

It was on the tough incline out of transition that Tsuchida reclaimed the lead and her marathon skills prevailed and no doubt the vocal support from the crowd as she claimed the gold while just 7 seconds separated Tapp and Parker in second and third.

Speaking with Triathlon Australia after the race Tapp responded to the change in race format.

“It’s one of those things we have to control the controllables, we were wary about the conditions coming across for the test event and that it could be a duathlon, so we did strategize and put a plan B in reserve and I’m grateful we did,” said Tapp.

“I’m not as fast as Wakako, I’m working on that, it’s a work in progress for the next 12 months. I like to run so in my domain in my wheelhouse as I say.”

Parker was very disappointed about the swim being cancelled as this is her advantage and where she is normally out of the water first.

“I found it really difficult in transition, going up the ramps in the race chair but it will not be like that for Tokyo, but the course is great, and I like the more technical bike,” said Parker.

Goerlach was very positive about the result and how he handled the conditions with guide Sam Douglas with just 6 seconds separating second and third. 

“Disappointed it had to be a duathlon, we’re all doing triathlons and want to do a swim as well, it definitely played more to my strength having a run, bike run, with the run my strongest leg,” said Goerlach.

“Conditions were hot, I’ve only been doing steam room and sauna sessions the past few months to acclimatize. 

“Didn’t have the speed to go with the Brits and the Americans at the start, lost a bit of time in transition and getting on the bike cost us a second we were only about 5-10sec in the end. But it was about come to try and test the course. I’m happy to get on the podium and looking forward to Lausanne in two weeks,” said Goerlach.

2019 Tokyo ITU Paratriathlon World Cup Results

Australian Results
Men
6th Clint Pickin (PTS4)
5th David Bryant (PTS5)
3rd Jonathan Goerlach (PTVI)

Women
1st Emily Tapp (PTWC)
3rd Lauren Parker (PTWC)
DNF Kate Doughty (PTS5)
DNF Katie Kelly (PTVI)

Full results: