TRIATHLON – BAHRAIN Victorious 13 alumni Hayden Wilde from New Zealand and Kate Waugh from Britain were yesterday crowned T100 Triathlon world champions after winning the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in Lusail.
Wilde capped a phenomenal season with his sixth victory of the year, completing a perfect campaign that saw him win every T100 race he entered. For Waugh, a dramatic victory – crossing the line on her knees through sheer exhaustion – sealed her first ever world title.
Bahrain Victorious 13 star Marten Van Riel and another team alumnus in Georgia Taylor-Brown also had reason to celebrate, taking third and second place, respectively, in their respective pro races.
Wilde led into transition two after a blistering bike leg and controlled the 18km run to cross the line in three hours six minutes and eight seconds. His victory followed wins in Singapore, London, the French Riviera, Spain and Wollongong, and it earned him a perfect score across the 2025 T100 season.
“It’s pretty special from starting in Singapore, then being in hospital for a bit, and then coming back and winning a few races, and then finishing here in Qatar,” said Wilde, who suffered a horrific bike crash in Japan last July, which punctured his lung, broke six ribs and left him needing surgery on his left scapula.
“It’s been a long season but it’s nice to finish up. I just came into this race with open eyes and I was like hey, I’ve made it back to racing fit and healthy, and that’s more of a title that I’ll take to the grave than obviously the T100 series.”
Wilde takes $25,000 for the win in Qatar – added to the $125,000 already earned in race wins this year – plus $200,000 for winning the T100 Race to Qatar.
Morgan Pearson of the US produced a storming run to finish second in 3:07:23, moving up to fourth in the final standings, while Van Riel, the 2024 world champion, came home third in 3:08:14.
Waugh’s win was anything but comfortable. The 26-year-old led from the front throughout but paid for her efforts in the closing stages, slowing to a walk in the final straight before stumbling to her knees as she crossed the line in 3:31:30.
“Oh my gosh, that was the most dramatic way to win the world title,” said Waugh. “I’ve always been a bit of a drama queen, so perhaps that was the best way to win it. I’m completely overwhelmed with emotion right now.”
Waugh led the T100 Race to Qatar standings throughout the season, finishing on the podium in all six T100 races she entered. Her consistency earned her 183 points and a $200,000 bonus on top of the $25,000 race win.
Taylor-Brown, back-to-back winner of the Ironman 70.3 Bahrain last weekend, maintained her fine form after charging home to second, just 20 seconds behind. Julie Derron from Switzerland took third to secure second place in the overall standings.
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