Alex Mandák at the World Triathlon Championship Finals 2025 – Wollongong, Australia

The prestigious 2025 World Triathlon Championships held in Wollongong, Australia, have concluded, welcoming the best young triathletes from more than 40 countries worldwide. The Junior Men category, with 62 athletes at the start, was one of the most competitive and emotionally charged races of the entire championship.

Alex Mandák completed the demanding course with a time of 01:00:38, finishing 43rd in an exceptionally strong field. According to the Slovak Triathlon Association, this result represents the third-best finish ever achieved by a Slovak junior at the World Championships. The title went to French athlete Tristan Douche, who crossed the line first in 55:42.

Participation in such a prestigious event is a valuable experience for the young Slovak triathlete and marks another important step toward elite-level competition.

“The race didn’t go exactly as I had hoped, but it was an important experience to build on,” said Alex after finishing. “I want to thank my team and my family for supporting me throughout this journey.”

Coach Eva Piatriková shared her reflections with perspective:

“The result Alex achieved doesn’t fully reflect his real potential. Personally, I expected him to finish around 20th–25th place. Unfortunately, we had an issue with his goggles at the start, which affected the rest of the race. At this level, even a few lost seconds can decide everything. Because of it, Alex missed the main packs, and the rest of the race turned into a solo battle.”

She added:

“I’m still extremely proud of Alex. We always try to take only the positives from every situation. It happened – next time, we’ll be more cautious. It’s important to remember that Alex is still a very young athlete who’s gaining experience. What I consider our greatest achievement is his tremendous progress over the past year – both physically and mentally. Alex has matured as an athlete; he has learned how to train, recover, and eat properly. Today, we have mature, two-way discussions about training, where he’s an active partner in shaping our goals and plans – and that, to me, is the foundation of success. He inspires and motivates me, and I’m truly happy to be part of his journey. I’m looking forward to the next season and everything that lies ahead.”

We congratulate Alex on a strong finish to his season, having earned his place among the world’s triathlon elite. His performance in Wollongong is proof that Slovak triathlon has great potential – with young athletes ready to push boundaries and compete at the highest level.