Feature: Hindman Eyes Gold at ITU World Triathlon Grand Final
9/15/2017 2:02:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Track & Field, Cross Country
Mizzou freshman Austin Hindman will compete in Triathlon Junior World Championship Saturday
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Mizzou Cross Country and Track & Field freshman Austin Hindman (Wildwood, Mo.) will represent the United States at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final this weekend in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Hindman will compete in the Triathlon Junior World Championship, which consists of a 750m swim, 20k bike ride and 5k run, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 8 a.m. local time (1 a.m. CT).
Hindman, who has competed internationally since the age of 16, is no stranger to this event, having competed in the race twice already in his career. After a 10th-place finish in 2015, Hindman blazed past numerous runners in the last leg of the 2016 triathlon to claim gold, finishing with a remarkable time of 54:02.
"It was everything I'd hoped it would be," said Hindman of his 2016 success. "Just standing on the podium, listening to the National Anthem at a World Championship event was awesome. Being able to represent my country was a dream come true."
Hindman is only the third American to win the event and the first to win since 2011. As he tries to become the first two-time champion in American history this year, Hindman had to change his mindset.
"I think last year, going into it, people knew who I was but no one was really expecting me to win," said Hindman. "Having won last year, I'm definitely going in with a bigger target on my back. Everyone's expecting you to be up there and perform so there's definitely added pressure with that. But at the same time, it's just the same. You go and you do what you can on that day. I'll be happy with the result as long as I give it my best."
A nine-time high school state champion, Hindman chose to attend college in his home state and joined the Mizzou Cross Country and Track & Field teams this fall. A major factor in his decision was the team chemistry and positive attitude of his teammates.
"I really felt comfortable with the team, the coaches and the school. The team felt like it was a really good, tight-knit family community. That's something that I had in high school and that I definitely wanted to have again in college."
Men's triathlon is not an NCAA-sponsored sport, so Hindman will be competing in cross country events for Mizzou while still racing triathlons at the international level. Hindman cites the biggest adjustment for him while transitioning to college has been finding ways to maximize his time to make sure he gets both his studying and his rigorous training in.
"I come to practice and run with my team and then just try and get in my swim and bike workouts at other points in the day, mostly on my own," said Hindman. "If there are other guys heading to the pool for cross-training or going out on the bike, I try and link up with them. It's just making sure I get in what I have to get in."
Although many people have helped Hindman with his triathlon endeavors along the way, Austin singles out his parents and his triathlon coach Jenny Weber as huge influences.
"My dad's the one that got me into the sport and he and my mom have been by my side throughout the whole thing," said Hindman. "My coach Jenny Weber has been with me since I was 12 and knows me really well. She's done such a great job with me and helping me get ready for all of my races."
Looking forward, Hindman has many goals for himself including NCAA titles with Mizzou and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They certainly seem possible considering the success he's seen thus far. But for right now, Hindman has his sights set on hopefully another Triathlon Junior World Championship.
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