The Championship 2024: Elite Triathletes Gear Up for Epic Showdown
Over 1,600 athletes, including 80 top professionals, will compete for the title of Champion of The Championship in Šamorín on 19 May 2024.
In less than a month, over 1,600 athletes from 57 nations will gather at the x-bionic sphere in Šamorín for the highly anticipated Challenge Family flagship event, The Championship. On 19 May 2024, more than 80 professional triathletes will compete alongside age group participants in a thrilling battle for the ultimate title of Champion of The Championship.
The men's race is set to be a clash of titans, with 13 of the world's top 50 athletes ready to give it their all. Pieter Heemeryck (BEL), fresh off a podium finish in Singapore, is hungry for his first victory in Šamorín after multiple attempts. However, he'll face fierce competition from the likes of Daniel Bækkegård (DEN), Frederic Funk (GER), and reigning 70.3 world champion Rico Bogen (GER), all equally determined to claim the top spot.
Adding to the excitement is the presence of Joe Skipper (GBR), known for his electrifying performances. Other top contenders include Kacper Stępniak (POL), Antonio Benito (ESP), Jan Stratmann (GER), James Teagle (GBR), Mark Dubrick (USA), and Bart Aernouts (BEL). Keep an eye on New Zealand's Kyle Smith, who recently won Challenge Wānaka, and Tom Bishop (GBR), boasting two podiums in 2024 and a third-place finish in the 2023 Challenge Family Pro Athlete World Bonus. Local hero Richard Varga (SLO) returns for his sixth appearance, aiming to improve on his second-place finish from 2022 after recovering from surgery.
In the women's race, defending champion India Lee (GBR) is determined to maintain her reign following a stunning win at the Miami T100. She'll be joined by compatriots Lucy Buckingham, the 2021 champion, and Fenella Langridge, forming a formidable British trio. However, German powerhouses Caroline Pohle and Anne Reischmann are ready to challenge for the title. Pohle, who finished second to Lee in 2023, kicked off her 2024 season with a third-place finish in Valencia, while Reischmann secured second place in the Philippines. Another athlete to watch is Laura Madsen (DEN), who recently triumphed over Pohle in Valencia, and Marta Sanchez (ESP), already boasting two wins this year at Ironman South Africa and Pucon 70.3.
