TRIATHLON: The biggest race day of Matt Hauser’s impressive young career will begin about 3.30am.
With the men’s triathlon in Tokyo starting at 6.30am on Monday to help avoid the heat and humidity, competitors will begin their preparations in the dark.
For Hauser, that means a shower, healthy brekky and dressed before boarding the team bus just before 5am. Once at the venue it’s a bit of work on the trainer, have a laugh with his team-mates and, well “get ready to rip in.”
“I just want to stay as calm and light-hearted as possible before the race and joke around with the boys a little bit,” Hauser said of his final preparations before the race.
“I don’t like to be too serious before we get on the start line.”
Hauser joins fellow Australians Aaron Royle and Jake Birtwhistle in a world class field for the men’s triathlon.
The course and conditions will be challenging.
The 1.5km swim comprises two laps but, at 950m, the first is considerably longer and the water could be nudging 30C.
The 40km bike leg is fast, flat and technical, between skyscrapers and along the water’s edge. Royle described the eight-lap course as “relentless”.
Then there’s the 10km run in the heat and humidity of the Tokyo summer, an added challenge even with the extra measures in place to keep the athletes as cool as possible, for as long as possible.
With that in mind, Hauser has no doubts what part of the race he is looking forward to most.
“The finish,” he said with a laugh.
“Nah, it’s just being in that competitive atmosphere, everyone’s nerves are jeering and its’ definitely an exciting feeling in the air.”
The 23-year-old Queenslander, the 2017 world Junior champion who won a Commonwealth Games gold as part of Australia’s mixed relay team, is a product of the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club.
“I moved down (from the Gold Coast) when I was about 17, fresh out of school, to pursue my dream really, and five-six years on I’m at my first Olympics.” Hauser said, paying tribute to the support he has received throughout his Olympic journey from family, friends, coaches and his local club.
“I was a good runner at an early age and that’s how I got a knack for it.
“I know I have a lot support back home and there’ll certainly be a bit of party organised there about 7.30 in the morning, which will be good.”
The water temperature and quality has been a source of discussion in the lead-up to the race, but it’s been no concern for Hauser.
“It’s not quite the golden beaches of the Gold Coast, but it’s my first Olympics so I’ll swim anywhere,” said Hauser.
Hauser has revelled training and travelling alongside Olympic team-mates Birtwhistle and Royle.
Royle, a two-time Olympian, was Australia’s top ranked male finisher in Rio, placing ninth, while Birtwhistle joins Hauser in making his Olympic debut in Tokyo and is considered among the medal chances after a stunning 2019 season in which he was the only male to win two Word Series races.
“It’s a pleasure working with them. It’ll be good to get out there and perform as a group on race day,” Hauser said.
“I’ve been racing and travelling with these guys for quite some time now on the WTF circuit, so we’re good mates and we have a laugh as well.
“Hopefully we can keep it pretty light-hearted and obviously dig in for a medal, it most of all just enjoy the experience.”
David Taylor
