Josh Shanahan stars at Ibiza Duathlon

A Sunshine Coast high school duathlon star has planted his feet on the international podium as he hones in on regional, state and national schoolboy titles.

Josh Shanahan competing in the Sprint Distance Duathalon Championships in Ibiza, Spain. Pictures: FinisherPix.

A rising Sunshine Coast sporting talent has quickly made his mark on the international stage after winning bronze in the Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships in Ibiza, Spain on April 29.

St Teresa’s Catholic College student Josh Shanahan, 17, was in the under 16-19 sprint division and was the only Australian to compete.

Shanahan said following three qualifying races and coaches’ selection he was proud to pull on the green and gold attire.

“It was a goal of mine for 12 months and the experience of being able to wear the Australian uniform was something really inspiring for me,” he said.

Sunshine Coast athlete Josh Shanahan competing at the Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships in Ibiza, Spain. Picture: FinisherPix

The race consisted of a 4.8km run, a 18.6km cycle and a final 2.8km run to finish.

Shanahan finished the event in a time of 55.37.

“I thought I might be able to keep up with the front runners but I knew for sure that some of the Europeans would be really strong on the bike and I would probably get dropped during the cycle,” he said.

“I had a good bike transition and was able to hang onto the front pack until my chain came off.

“It took me a minute to fix my chain and get going again and by that point I was in sixth or seventh place.”

Sunshine Coast athlete Josh Shanahan crosses the finish line at the Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships in Ibiza, Spain. Picture: FinisherPix

Despite the hurdle Shanahan clawed his way back to a podium finish.

“When I first came over the line I didn't know that I had placed third, I thought I was about sixth or seventh in my age until my Mum was on Facetime with Dad and told me because she was viewing the live results online and looking at the finish camera on livestream,” he said.

“I was pretty excited about that because my hands were covered with black grease and my watch showed I was stationary for about a minute and 10 seconds but I ran 40 seconds faster on the final leg than the other competitors.”

The result comes off the back of a silver medal finish at the Queensland All Schools Cross Country Championships on May 14 and a recent second in the 5km Noosa Runaway Marathon on May 27.

Shanahan said his training was in full swing with Race Pace coaches Pete and Jacque McKenzie.

“My next events will be regional cross country then onto state and national events before track season and other local Duathlon races,” he said.

“I am aiming for a Track and Field and Cross Country Sports Scholarship to a college in America so I can compete but also study.”