Hobart’s Jack Woodberry wins gold at Australian Junior Triathlon Championships

A Tasmanian teenager has finished his triathlon season with another stellar victory at the Australian Junior Championships.

Jack Woodberry, pictured here in 2023, won the Australian Junior Triathlon Championships. Photo courtesy of Triathlon Tasmania.

While he may be set for a well-earned rest following his gold medal win at the Australian Junior Championships, Tasmanian triathlon star Jack Woodberry remains focused on his goal of one day representing Australia at the Olympics.

The teenage sensation capped off a remarkable season with his first-place finish in Wollongong on Saturday adding to his victory at the Oceania Triathlon Junior Championships in New Zealand two months ago.

He also became the first Tasmanian since Jake Birtwhistle in 2012 to win the Australian Junior Super Sprint Championships in 2023.

Birtwhistle also competed in Wollongong and finished sixth in the Wollongong World Cup after a “frustrating but enjoyable day of racing”.

With his season now over until a possible appearance at the Junior Worlds in October, Woodberry said it was an amazing feeling to cross the finish line first on Saturday.

“It feels amazing to cap off a big season with a win like that,” Woodberry said.

Jack Woodberry from Hobart wins the 2024 Australian Junior Triathlon Championship in Wollongong. Picture: Con Chronis/supplied

“My aim was to have a really good swim and I had one of my best to date. I came into transition in a really good position and then had a really good bike leg and managed to stay at the front of the pack.

“I came into the transition with a lead and then was able to run away.”

It’s been a hell of a few years for Woodberry since breaking onto the triathlon scene with the young gun thrilled his hours of training are paying off with strong results in competition.

“There is nothing better than when you work hard for something than to get the results you are after,” he said.

“I swim three to four times a week, that’s the same with riding and then I try and fit in two hard runs and gym sessions a week. It is a lot and a very busy schedule but it’s very rewarding.

“If you love something it’s pretty easy to get up and train like I do. Some people wouldn’t find it easy but I’m always motivated to do it.”

While he won’t likely compete again until October, Woodberry said he would take just a two-week break before returning to training with his long-term goal of an Olympics debut in either 2028 or 2032 still the ultimate dream.

“The results that I’m getting at the moment are keeping me very motivated to achieve that goal,” he said.