Copeland’s Osaka run to push world case

TRIATHLON Australia coach Dan Atkins says emerging talent Brandon Copeland has built a strong case for this year’s under-23 ITU World Championship on the back of a third straight top-10 finish.

Copeland capped off a busy month of racing in Asia by finishing 10th in the Osaka ASTC Sprint Triathlon Asian Cup on Sunday in Japan.

The 21-year-old was aiming for a top-five finish but managed to run himself into a strong position in wet and windy conditions.

It came after Copeland finished runner-up in the Gamagori Asian Cup on June 18 and fourth in the Taizhou Asian Cup on June 3, an Olympic distance race consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.

WE WERE CHASING A TOP-FIVE BUT IT WASN’T TOO BAD ... DAN ATKINS

Atkins said the Kingscliff triathlete had proven he could race successfully over all formats as he waits to hear if he has done enough to earn selection for the world titles, to be held on September 15 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The Australian team will be announced on July 17.

“He is getting a podium and a fourth place in some pretty competitive races and beaten some well ranked athletes so that’s more than a lot of others are doing,” Atkins said.

“To travel to China is a risk for health reasons and nutrition so anything could go wrong before the race.

“I like to think the plan has worked pretty well and now it’s in the hands of the selectors.”

Copeland completed the 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run in Osaka in a time of 58 minutes and 24 seconds.

“We were chasing a top-five but it wasn’t too bad,” Atkins said.

“It was horrendous conditions, it was really wet and blustery and that affected his ability to be able to go across the bike group and get in that front pack.

“He was definitely out of the water with the front group and put himself in a really good position out of the swim.”