Malta triumph feels Super for fit-again Dixon
Dan the man as he puts injury problems behind him
A YEAR of mixed fortunes has ended on a high for triathlon prospect Daniel Dixon - with a Super Mediterranean success, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 17-year-old from Morpeth only returned to competitive action earlier in the autumn after more than six months on the sidelines due to a shin splints injury.
Dixon, who already has a wealth of European experience as a junior, claimed an excellent fourth place in the Senior British Sprint Championships in Cardiff.
That was followed by an even better showing at British Triathlon’s Big Weekend meeting at Mallory Park in Leicestershire, where Dixon was second in the junior event and fourth in the overall standings.
The best was left to last, however a stunning victory in the youth boys’ race at the Super League Triathlon in Vittoriosa, Malta.
The event was run on a Enduro format of back-to-back triathlons but Dixon relished the tough challenge, winning in an impressive 23 minutes and 23 seconds.
He said: “We competed on the course used by the professionals and it was awesome, a fantastic experience.
“The event was run on an Enduro format, which is essentially back-toback triathlons with no break in between.
“The swim was over 300 metres, the bike followed a one-kilometre loop and the run followed the same course as the cycling. It was a lot of fun and a great challenge.
“I managed to lap half of the field - I actually felt a bit sorry for those I lapped because in Enduro if you are overtaken you are automatically disqualified!”
The youngster added: “The setting was fantastic - around a gorgeous marina - and the temperature was around 25 degrees.
“It was just wonderful to be involved.
“I was over the moon to win - it has been a tough year for me injurywise but I have come back well and this just rounds things off nicely for me.”
Dixon went on: “This was my last tri of the year and I will now look to get myself into the best possible shape over the winter ahead of next season.
“These are exciting times for me - I am driving now, I finish school next year - and I just want to look ahead after putting the problems of earlier this year behind me.”
Dixon’s 2019 successes follow on from an impressive 2018, the undoubted highlight of which was the ETU Triathlon Junior European Cup in Riga, Latvia.
The youngest competitor in the 17-19 years category, Dixon claimed his first international victory despite being up against 70 triathletes older than himself.
That followed on from him winning the 2018 British Elite Duathlon Championship at Bedford.
■ WATCH out for a big end-of-year feature on Dixon’s thoughts on 2019 and his hopes for 2020 in Grassroots Sport over the festive period.