In a thrilling display of endurance and strategy, Leonie Periault clinched the gold medal at the Yokohama World Triathlon Championship Series on Saturday. Finishing with a remarkable time of 1:52:28, Periault outpaced the competition by 36 seconds ahead of the United States' Taylor Knibb, who took silver, and 40 seconds ahead of fellow French athlete Emma Lombardi, securing the bronze position.
At 29 years old, this victory marks Periault's second gold in the World Triathlon Championship Series, further solidifying her status as one of the sport's elite competitors. Her impressive performance not only adds to her personal accolades but also guarantees her a coveted spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Joining her on the Olympic team will be 22-year-old Emma Lombardi, who demonstrated consistent performance throughout the series.
The competition was fierce, with Taylor Knibb already having secured her Olympic berth following a top-eight finish at the Paris test event last August. American Taylor Spivey narrowly missed out on the Olympic spot by finishing fourth, while teammate Kirsten Kasper concluded the race in fifth place.
Periault's victory in Yokohama showcases her exceptional talent and determination, setting the stage for a promising performance at the Paris Olympics. Fans and fellow athletes alike are eagerly anticipating her next moves as she prepares to represent France on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Reference(s):
Triathlon: France's Periault wins gold at Yokohoma, seals Olympic spot
cgtn.com
