TRIATHLETE’S BID TO BE YOUNGEST OLYMPIAN
MATT Hauser will aim to become the youngest Australian triathlete to qualify for the Olympic Games this year.
It’s an unusually daunting mountain to climb for the 20-year-old who has so far been fearless in a young career that has won him a Commonwealth Games gold medal and pitted him among the world’s best in the World Triathlon Series and growing Super League.
Hauser will be 21 at the Olympic test event in Tokyo in August when an automatic spot on the Aussie team awaits if he can grab it.
“It is a bit daunting lining up for selection but I think last year’s experience and getting back into racing after injury will help,” Hauser said.
“I thrive off racing at the highest level and I think the more opportunity I can get to showcase my skills and strengths then the more exciting it will be come the test event.
“I’m still honing and developing my skills and race strategies so (Olympic selection) is not the be all and end all.
“It’s a step in the journey.” Hauser’s main rivals are compatriots Jake Birtwhistle, 24, Australia’s leading male triathlete, and 2016 Olympians Aaron Royle, 29, and Ryan Bailie, 28, and Luke Willian, 22.
All have superior Olympic rankings due to Hauser’s inability to take part in an ITU race since May last year due to the injuries suffered during a car crash.
They also have more experience in the Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) format.
But after Hauser gains some race fitness from the Super League Triathlon finals in Singapore, starting on Saturday, his racing calendar will be centred around stepping up to the Olympic distance.
The Mermaid Waters athlete is already in Singapore for the finals.