SEASON 2025: Alex Mandák enters the world junior elite
A year that defined his sporting maturity
The 2025 season was not only about medals and results for Alex Mandák. Above all, it was about pushing boundaries, professional growth, and a clear step toward the world triathlon elite. The symbolic highlight of the year was the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong, where Alex placed 43rd in the world – the third-best historical result of a Slovak junior. This achievement definitively positioned him among the European elite of his generation.
From intuition to data: a key turning point of the season
A fundamental moment of the year was the change in training philosophy. Under the guidance of Dr. Eva Piatriková, Alex transitioned from intuitive training to a systematic, data-driven approach. This shift immediately reflected in his performance – particularly in the running discipline.
Personal bests of 1:57.77 in the 800 m and 4:05.81 in the 1500 m, achieved in the men’s category, confirm that his physical potential has begun to align with world-class standards.
Performance stability at home and in Europe
On the domestic scene, Alex remained virtually unbeaten in the junior category, winning Slovak championship titles across all events. However, his international performances are particularly valuable.
A strong signal of his performance stability was his 4th place at the Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Wels, achieved directly from full training without special form tapering. This result confirmed his ability to compete with the best juniors in Europe. He also gained experience in the elite category, where he became a two-time Slovak vice-champion among adults.
Athlete’s perspective: “I now know where I am heading”
“The 2025 season opened my eyes. In triathlon, it’s not enough just to swim or run fast – I had to learn to think like a professional 24 hours a day. Wollongong was a dream come true, but also a lesson in humility. Working with Eva gave me confidence – today, I don’t just train, I understand why we do specific things. I know exactly where I am heading,” says Alex Mandák.
Coach’s perspective: systematic work brings results
“Over the past year, Alex has matured significantly – not only physically, but especially mentally. The athlete who simply followed instructions has evolved into a partner capable of professional discussion. When we compare 84th place in Caorle (2023) with his current performances at European Cups, we see the result of systematic work with data, recovery, and nutrition. 43rd place at the World Championships is a solid foundation, but what I value most is his constant desire to improve,” adds Dr. Eva Piatriková.
Season 2025 in brief
- Global progress: 3rd best historical result of a Slovak junior at the World Championships
- European consistency: 4th place at the Europe Triathlon Junior Cup (Wels)
- Domestic dominance: 100% success rate in the Slovak junior category
- Elite experience: Two-time Slovak vice-champion among adults
- Speed advancement: Personal bests on the athletics track in the men’s category
Season 2025 in numbers
- 13 starts
- 1 × TOP 5 at the Europe Cup
- 2 × Slovak vice-champion – elite category
- 100% victories in the Slovak junior category
- Historically 3rd best placement of a Slovak junior at the World Championships
