Young Kiwi Rebecca Clarke dominated her age group at the Beijing World Champs, coming away with two gold medals.
The 22-year-old former competitive swimmer started with a bang in Beijing, winning gold in the aquathlon event for her 20-24 age group.
Raced in the middle of the day, conditions were hot and hazy for the aquathlon which consists of a run-swim-run. Thanks to her swimming background Clarke was able to open a big enough lead in the water to help guide her to victory.
She then backed up her success with a second gold medal in the Olympic distance triathlon several days later.
Again, a strong swim left her at the front of the pack and with plenty of energy left for the bike and run.
"It couldn't have gone much better. I went there for some experience and came away with two golds which is pretty awesome,” Clarke said.
"Swimming is my strength so I was near the front from the start which mentally gives you a bit of an edge.
"I put down a goal to be top 10 and then after the aquathlon I thought maybe I could do a bit better maybe a second or third in the triathlon.”
Clarke said her workmates have stuck up plenty of photos from Beijing to provide a constant reminder of her efforts, while she also has two very proud parents.
Her two gold medals are all the more impressive considering this is the end of just her first full season in the sport of triathlon.
"Last summer was my first full season of triathlon and Beijing was only my fourth standard distance triathlon.
"I was a competitive swimmer since the age of nine at national level. I swam through all my school years and had a break when I went down to Dunedin to study.
"It pays off later on being able to start strongly and I guess that gives me a bit of an advantage. It was a lot easier to pick up the biking and running than I think it would be to have to learn how to swim.”
Clarke is enjoying a few weeks of rest before getting back into full training ahead of the Auckland World Cup in November, which is the qualifying race for next year's World Champs.
In Beijing, Hamish Hammond (20-24 age group) and Tiare Lund (65-69) also won gold medals in both the Olympic distance triathlon and the aquathlon. Tanya Dromgool (25-29) won gold in the aquathlon and bronze over the Olympic distance.
There were also plenty of good battles within the age groups, with 64 Kiwi athletes crossing the line within the top 10.
