University of Leeds Triathletes

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    Triathletes

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    The University of Leeds is proud to be associated with professional triathletes such as Olympic Champions Alistair and Johnny Brownlee as well as a host of current student athletes with world-class ambitions. Find out more about them here.

    Alistair Brownlee

    Alistair Brownlee MBE

    23/04/1988

    University of Leeds
    Sports Science and Physiology (2010)

    Whilst studying at the University of Leeds Alistair was supported by the Leeds Sport, Sports Scholarship Programme, helping him to balance his studies with training and competing as an elite athlete.

    Major Achievements

    • Olympic Champion – London 2012 & Rio 2016
    • Commonwealth Champion – Glasgow 2014
    • European Champion – 2014
    • ITU World Champion – Beijing 2011
    • ITU Aquathlon World Champion – 2016

    Early Sporting Career

    Alistair has always been very active and started swimming from a young age in local swimming schemes in Yorkshire. This was followed by running school cross country races at the age of nine and mountain biking with his family. His uncle Simon Hearnshaw was already into Triathlon and suggested the opportunity to compete in a junior series, Alistair never looked back and has won countless medals along the way.

    Jonny Brownlee

    Jonny Brownlee

    30/04/1990

    University of Leeds
    History (2012)

    Whilst studying at the University of Leeds Jonny was also supported by the Leeds Sport, Sports Scholarship Programme helping him to balance his studies with training and competing as an elite athlete.

    Major Achievements

    • Olympic Bronze Medallist – London 2012
    • Olympic Silver Medallist – Rio 2016
    • Commonwealth Silver Medallist – Glasgow 2014
    • ITU World Champion – 2012
    • ITU Sprint World Champion – 2011
    • ITU Sprint World Champion – 2010

    Early Sporting Career

    Jonny followed in the footsteps of his older brother Alistair, running in cross country races, swimming in his local pool and mountain biking with his friends and family. Jonny competed in the European Junior Championships two years after his brother aged 14.

    Gordon Benson

    Gordon Benson

    12/05/1994

    University of Leeds
    Nutrition (Current Student)

    Gordon is a current University of Leeds Sports Scholar and is supported by the Leeds Sport, Sports Scholarship Programme helping him to balance his studies with training and competing as an elite athlete.

    Major Achievements

    • European Champion – Baku 2015
    • ITU World Championship Mixed Relay Champion – 2014
    • ETU European U23 Champion – Penza 2014
    • ITU World U23 Bronze Medalist – 2014

    Early Sporting Career

    Gordon was a keen runner and swimmer growing up in Leeds and due to his strong running and swimming ability he was invited to the Triathlon Regional Academy. He was voted as the British Elite Junior triathlete of the year in 2011 and 2012 and has gone on to win the European Games representing Great Britain.

    Jana Machacova

    Jana Machacova

    26/02/1996

    University of Leeds
    French and Japanese (2019)

    Jana is one of our athletes supported by the Leeds Sport,  Sports Scholarship Programme, helping her to balance her studies with training and improve to carry her junior success into U23 competition.

    Major Achievements

    • Tabor ETU Junior Cup Winner – 2015
    • Châteauroux ETU Junior Cup Winner– 2015
    • 2nd Overall in the European Cup – 2015

    Early Sporting Career

    Jana, who represents the Czech Republic at international competition, started her sporting life as a swimmer aged 8. She then started triathlon aged 12 and achieved a lot of success at junior level, winning multiple European Cups. Jana made the decision to move to the University of Leeds in September 2015 to train at the Leeds Triathlon Centre.

    If you have any questions then please

    contact Oli Hylands (Triathlon Development Officer) via email