Following success at the Beijing World Champs, Hamish Hammond is targeting even bigger things this season.
The 21-year-old former competitive swimmer travelled to China with high hopes in his first trip as part of the New Zealand age group team.
He came home with two gold medals after winning both the aquathlon and Olympic distance triathlon in his age group (20-24).
Hammond said he had set his expectations pretty high alongside coach Greg O'Connor but never expected to win both races.
"It was a bit of a surprise really and I was pretty stoked. It didn't really hit me until I got home and everyone was congratulating me,” he said.
"My coach said to me that was the goal [to win both races] so he obviously had a bit of belief in me. I set that as my goal just to see what happened, and it went pretty well.
"The aquathlon was on the Wednesday and I got there on the Monday so I was feeling a bit jetlagged still. As soon as I jumped in the water I felt really heavy and my arms felt like lead. Once I got out of the water for the last run though I felt good. Having raced that aquathlon probably set me up well for the triathlon on Sunday when I was feeling fresh.”
Now in his final semester of University study, Hammond has a background in swimming and competed at a high level from the age of 13.
When he turned 18 he decided to branch out and make a change, and a move to Palmerston North for Uni led him into the sport of triathlon.
"I always wanted to give triathlon a go back home but never really had the opportunity. I didn't really give it a go until I came to Palmerston North for my studies. I got a coach, Greg O'Connor, and he started giving me programs and I followed those while I studied.
"I've only been doing it less than two years so I think I've made good progress but still have a lot to learn. Swimming really set me up well in terms of technique and biking and running were quite easy to pick up.”
Hammond is looking to keep his momentum going during the upcoming summer season in New Zealand and will race in several Contact Tri Series events as well as the Auckland World Cup age group event.
"I want to hopefully make the U23 elite team. I had a good result up at the duathlon national champs in Taupo earlier this year too so it's all going well for me.
"This is my last semester so I want to get that over then get back into some hard training and racing.”
