World triathlon championship 2025: Para-triathlon a break from study for Matt Engesser

Para triathlete Matt Engesser has been juggling study with training in the lead-up to his world championship tilt.

It’s an unorthodox way to prepare for your first world triathlon tilt - staying tucked away in a room with only study material for company - but that’s where Matt Engesser will be most of the time this week.

The schoolboy has been juggling studying, doing exams and training for the para triathlon race at the world triathlon championships in Wollongong on Saturday in one of the biggest weeks of his life.

Engesser will race the 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run PTS4 world championship race after sitting for a couple of HSC exams this week at a local Wollongong school.

The 17-year-old, a student at Gilroy Catholic College at Castle Hill and keen to get into sport science at Uni next year, said he is on a steep learning curve heading into his first world titles but still has a special goal to achieve.

“It’s going to be a massive learning curve for me but my big goal is to finish,’’ Engesser said.

“It’s a home race and they don't come round too often. I want to finish in front of family and friends.’’

“My best leg now is the bike but it used to be running.

“The swim I have ups and downs in because it is the one most affected by my cerebral palsy which affects my right arm the most.’’

Para triathlete Matt Engesser has been juggling study with training in the lead-up to his world championship tilt.

Engesser, who lives at Sevens Hills in western Sydney, is already considered a prospect for the LA Paralympics in para triathlon despite his youth and only being in the sport for four years.

He said he felt attracted to the sport after watching it at the Tokyo Olympics during lockdown.

“I was very into running at the time and didn't even realise I could do triathlon,’’ said Engesser, who also has ataxia in his left leg which can affect his co-ordination and wears orthotic footwear while racing.

I just got sucked in watching it at the Olympics. It was great.

The Wollongong event started on Thursday with under 23 elite racing and concludes late on Sunday with the elite men’s race.

In this event, Australian and Paris Olympian Matt Hauser goes in as favourite and is ranked No.1 in the world series which determines this world crown.