Sport
10 March, 2023
Ready, steady, go for global titles in Finland this year
KEWARRA Beach resident Cody Williamson has become Cairns’ most promising triathlon figure after taking his first win at the Busselton 70.3 Ironman in 2022 and qualifying for the 2023 Ironman world championship.
Williamson (right) took first place at the Busselton Ironman in the 18-24 age group and finished 15 overall, immediately qualifying for 2023 70.3 Ironman World Championship in Finland on August 26-27.
Williamson, 24, discovered his passion for triathlon in 2021 and has steadily progressed in the sport.
“I grew up in Cairns, and my mum does the run leg of the Cairns Ironman every year,” he said.
“I’ve always been into fitness and sport, so she said I should give Ironman a crack.
“Around November 2021, I started training for Cairns Ironman 2022, the half distance, and that’s how I came to it.”
Williamson trained himself, but after his first Ironman and wanting to pursue triathlon more seriously, he joined the local triathlon club, TriMotivate, where he received professional training.
At his second Ironman ever at Busselton, Williamson would win first place in the 18-24 age group and take 15th place overall, competing against professional triathletes.
“I love marginally getting better and better each time, and I feel that triathlon is the perfect sport for that; you go day in and day out in three different sports, and you get a little bit fitter every day,” he said.
“For my first Ironman, I was doing as much time swimming, riding and running as much as I could; there was no structure or guidance, just hoping that I was good enough.
“Having TriMotivate’s guidance was crucial not just to get fitter but to improve my technique and form and get better at the sport instead of just getting fitter.”
TriMotivate coach Renee Kerr said Williamson’s race was extraordinary.
“His race was so exciting to watch,” Ms Kerr said.
“I knew he was likely to get a podium place, but he blew us all away by holding a 4 min – 4.10 pace for 21km after a tough 90km ride and taking the win.
“He finished in under 4 hours 30 minutes, and for a 70.3, that’s an outstanding result for anyone, let alone his second ever 70.3 Ironman.”
Reflecting on his win, Williamson said he could not have predicted his result.
“After I started training with TriMotivate, I started to get noticeably quicker in all disciplines,” he said.
“You can never predict what will happen on race day, and for me, it all pieced together really nicely.
“I had a good swim and a reasonably fast bike ride, and I had enough gas in the tank to bring it home in the run.
“I didn’t know I’d won until I was in the recovery zone and my mum told me; I was surprised because I didn’t go in with any expectations to win it, and to hear it was really exciting.
“That moment really opened my eyes to all the possibilities in this sport if I put my all into it, and since then, this sport has had my total focus.”
After the big win, Williamson is now preparing and counting down the days before his world debut in Finland this August.
He took a break of two to three weeks to physically and mentally recharge.
