Six of Australia’s brightest young triathletes have satisfied the automatic selection criteria required to be nominated for the World Triathlon Under 23 Championships and World Triathlon Junior Championships in Wollongong this October, delivering standout performances at the historic Devonport Triathlon.
Marking its 40th anniversary, the iconic event once again played host to Australia and New Zealand’s top talent for the Oceania Triathlon Championships.
But this year, the stakes were even higher, with more than just titles on the line – athletes had the opportunity to meet the automatic selection criteria for the World Championships, making every race a battle for the honour of potentially wearing the green and gold at triathlon’s biggest event.
For the second straight year, Richelle Hill met the automatic selection criteria for nomination to the World Triathlon Under 23 Championships, securing a dominant win at the Oceania Triathlon Championships.
Brayden Mercer, who finished a strong fourth in the men’s race in Devonport, also met the criteria for automatic selected for nomination to the Australian Under 23 team. He was the second-placed Under 23 athlete, trailing only New Zealand’s James Corbett, who won the Oceania Triathlon Under 23 title.
As outlined in the 2025 World Triathlon Under 23 Championships Selection Policy, athletes had to finish in the top two positions of the Under 23 field, place in the top four of the Elite field, and complete the race within 1.5% of the winner’s time in the Oceania Triathlon Championships in Devonport to satisfy the automatic selection criteria.
After a tough 31st place finish at last year’s World Triathlon Under 23 Championships in Torremolinos, Spain, Hill is more motivated than ever to deliver on home soil.
“Last year didn’t go to plan, I had a few things go wrong, but it’s exciting to have the opportunity to race a World Championships here in Australia,” Hill said.
“I’m feeling pretty pumped for that.”
Aspen Anderson and Jack Caldwell met the automatic selection criteria for nomination to Australia’s Junior team with dominant wins at the Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships. Claire Spicknall and Zahn Spies’ silver medal performances also satisfied the criteria.
As outlined in the 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championships Selection Policy, athletes had to finish in the top four in Devonport and be among the first two Australian athletes to achieve selection for nomination.
For Wollongong’s own Claire Spicknall, meeting the criteria for nomination for the World Championships is even more special, knowing she could have the chance to compete in front of her friends and family.
“Where I train is where the race will be,” Spicknall said.
“My family, my friends, my school – everything is there.
“I didn’t really think I was going to make it until the last 300 metres or so – I’m just relieved that I did.
“It’s unreal. Before the race, I was so nervous. I vomited before the race, which has never happened.”
As outlined in the respective selection policies’, athletes who have met the automatic selection criteria for nomination must uphold athlete obligations in the lead up to the all-important World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong, including maintaining form and fitness.
Opportunities are available for additional athletes to secure automatic selection.
Official team selection will be made in late-July for the Junior team and early-August for the Under 23 team.
