Queensland triathlete making history and inspiring a new generation
Matthew Hauser has always dreamed of becoming a triathlete. After achieving incredible feats this year, the world champion is now eyeing a spot on the Australian Olympic squad.
For world triathlete champion Matthew Hauser, a weekly regime of running, riding and swimming hundreds of kilometres is par for the course when there are two Olympic games in sight.
"[I am] running around 80 kilometres a week, riding 300 to 350 kilometres a week and then swimming about 20 to 25 kilometres in the pool," he said.
"It’s certainly all-encompassing but I wouldn’t have it any other way."
In October, Hauser was the first Australian in 20 years to take out the World Triathlon Championship Series title in Wollongong.
Matthew Hauser's achievements are inspiring the next generation of emerging triathletes in Hervey Bay. (Supplied: World Triathlon and Santara Studios)
He backed that up a month later taking out the Noosa Triathlon.
Hauser’s wins this year come after multiple achievements and accolades on home soil and internationally over the last 15 years.
But at his seaside hometown in Hervey Bay, three hours north of Brisbane, junior athletes look up to Hauser’s success as a shining beacon of what they could achieve.
But despite a full-time training schedule and long-term goals to qualify for the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympics, the 27-year-old is only too willing to give back to the community where it all began.
Humble beginnings
Hauser’s triathlete journey began in 2010 at school cross-country and athletics carnivals.
His life changed when Brian Harrington, the former Queensland school sport triathlon coach, noticed him.
"He needed me for a school triathlon relay [and] obviously being a bit of a decent runner he knew that I’d be able to help the team in that way," Hauser said.
Matthew Hauser competing in the 2013 School Sport Australia Triathlon Championship in Penrith, New South Wales. (Supplied: Matthew Hauser)
Mr Harrington said Hauser’s drive made him stand out amongst his peers.
"He’s a very good listener … he’s smart to say, 'Okay I’ve got a weakness [and] I’ve gotta work on it'," he said.
Hauser worked with his two coaches to improve his abilities in cycling, swimming and running.