New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde has claimed his fifth straight victory in the T100 Triathlon World Tour, winning the latest race in Wollongong, Australia.
His win follows earlier triumphs this season in Singapore, London, the French Riviera, and Spain.
Wilde finished with a time of 3 hours, 6 minutes, and 7 seconds. He stayed close to German rival Mika Noodt during the swim and bike sections but pulled ahead during the run. Wilde said the support from fans and seeing familiar faces helped him stay strong during the tough course.
This winning streak puts Wilde at the top of the leaderboard in the T100 Race to Qatar, with only two races left.
What makes Wilde’s success even more impressive is his recovery from a serious accident earlier this year. While training in Japan, he was hit by a truck, breaking four ribs and his shoulder blade, and injuring a lung. Doctors told him that without quick surgery, he might never have been able to lift his arm properly again.
With the help of a special emergency flight and a doctor from Triathlon New Zealand, Wilde received the care he needed and returned to racing in August. Now, just months later, he remains unbeaten in the world tour.