Mike Dixon grew up on the jap suburbs of Melbourne (Australia) and launched into the world of sport not lengthy after studying tips on how to stroll. Beginning out taking part in junior tennis and soccer, he went onto symbolize his highschool in lots of sports activities, to then turning into a tennis coach in Australia and Germany. Dixon will likely be representing the Austrlian inexperienced and gold go well with on the upcoming 2023 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Ibiza within the Dash Duathlon on Saturday 29 April, Aquathlon on Monday 1st Might and Aquabike on seventh Might. Dixon has been named because the Australian workforce flag-bearer for the Parade of Nations, one thing he describes as an honour and privilege.
A SLICE OF SPORT HISTORY
In 2007, a good friend of Mike’s took him for a 15-kilometre experience round Brisbane (Queensland, Australia) airport on his ‘clapped-out’ spare street bike.
‘I’d by no means ridden any longer than about 10 km on a motorcycle earlier than and duly informed him that I by no means wish to try this once more. He replied “you’re going to need to as a result of I’ve registered you for the Noosa Tri in November”.
The remainder was historical past! Mike spent the primary 5 years dabbling within the sport, turning up and placing in a conservative swim, experience and run effort. Round 2013, the Australian joined a Brisbane triathlon membership (South Financial institution Triathlon Membership), competing in triathlons with like-minded mates, elevating the bar to an entire new top.
COMPETING FOR AUSTRALIA
‘I launched my spouse (Ana Oertel) to the game in 2012 and never lengthy after she was additionally ‘hooked’. We each determined to check out for the Aussie workforce for Chicago in 2015 – it was then that we actually began to ‘step up’ the coaching. (Ana had already positioned 4th on the long-distance world champs in Motala, Sweden in 2014). We rolled away from bed constantly (and reluctantly) at 4.30 am and rode 4 occasions every week round Brisbane, participated in numerous working and swimming coaching classes with our a lot beloved South Financial institution Tri Membership and entered quite a few native, state and nationwide occasions over the next years.’
‘It was an absolute hoot receiving the Australian tri go well with for the Chicago workforce within the mail and attempting it on. I keep in mind shopping for nearly each merchandise of clothes and accent that was on provide that first time we made the workforce. It was very particular to don the inexperienced and gold in Chicago and mingle amongst different Australian age-group triathletes. I keep in mind being amazed by the blokes within the over 80 age group from Australia. I used to be in my 50s on the time and keep in mind pondering “I hope I can maintain this up once I’m properly into my 80s too”. Using by the tunnels of Chicago was an unforgettable expertise – it’s not usually you get to experience in a wind tunnel at an Olympic distance tri – to say the least. it was quick!’
‘Since Chicago 2015, I’ve been lucky sufficient to have been chosen for the Cozumel 2016, Fyn 2018 and Gold Coast 2018 groups. The 2016 Cozumel triathlon world championships in Mexico was a stand out for me. The occasion was extraordinarily properly organised, the Mexican workforce was properly ready and properly educated, and it was stinking sizzling – 36 levels within the shade with 80% humidity. Photographers in diving gear scoured the ocean ground within the crystal-clear Gulf of Mexico taking ‘finisher pics’ of athletes as they swam previous, triathletes ‘dropped like flies’ in the usual distance run leg as a result of warmth and humidity, and the 50-metre working chute to the end line reverberated with the booming cheers of household and buddies who’d gathered within the crowd to help their very own. Watching the elite professional female and male triathletes races was excellent and I’ll not neglect Alistair Brownlee carrying his exhausted brother, Jonny Brownlee, over the end line. Mexican meals, hospitality, tradition and friendliness made for a improbable world championships!”
THE MULTISPORT COMMUNITY
‘Most of the conferences you’ve got with different athletes abroad at world championships occasions are solely fleeting, albeit at all times pleasant and memorable. There are quite a few Australian athletes, nonetheless, who I’ve met at world championships and maintained an enduring friendship with on account of being concerned in triathlon. Some I prepare with and see frequently, others I can get pleasure from a yarn with earlier than or after a race. These individuals all have a life outdoors of triathlon, however are concerned within the sport for a similar causes as myself – well being, health, journey, journey, wellbeing and pleasure.’
‘My father was a eager follower of all of my and my spouse’s triathlon/multisport outcomes. He struggled with know-how and at all times discovered it tough to search out outcomes while we have been racing inside Australia or abroad. He was an important sportsman himself and watched sports activities 24/7 on TV daily. Sadly, he handed away in 2021 – I’m certain he’d be happy with the information that his boy was chosen as flagbearer for a world championship occasion!’
TO NOW
‘Coaching lately has not modified for the reason that early days! Yearly, we nonetheless belt out dozens of Mt Coot-tha bike climbs round Brisbane, get pleasure from quite a few path runs, membership runs and Saturday parkruns, and swim at our native Musgrave Park Swimming Centre in Brisbane. This 12 months, my spouse and I’ve taken 9 months go away from work and are travelling round Europe in a motorhome. Except for competing in Ibiza, Hamburg and Pontevedra, I’m actually wanting ahead to doing a little severe driving within the Alps and Pyrenees – biking up a few of these well-known Tour de France mountains.”
WHAT ABOUT IBIZA
‘I’m completely wanting ahead to competing and being part of these upcoming Ibiza Multisport Age Group World Championships. There are a couple of triathletes showing on the Australian workforce who I believe have an important likelihood of getting a crack at both getting on the rostrum and even turning into world champion. I’m wanting ahead to listening to of their outcomes. I hope that everybody on the workforce will get over the end line and posts a PB – that in itself could be an important achievement at a world world championship occasion. I’m wanting ahead to watching the skilled and elite triathletes race, particularly the PTO occasion on the Saturday. Personally, I might be stoked if I have been to position within the prime 10 in any one of many three occasions that I’m competing in. It’s necessary, nonetheless, to not get forward of your self – the competitors out there may be fierce and, in spite of everything, that is the world championships!’
WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED
“Lifelong well being and health are the principle causes that I take part in multisport occasions. I additionally love the comradery with these with whom I prepare and compete towards. There are not any enemies on this sport – simply like-minded people attempting to provide their greatest and obtain their very own private PBs. The coaching could be arduous, tedious and boring generally, however the total end result is constructive. If you’re attempting to reinforce your endurance, power, energy, flexibility and psychological toughness – triathlon/multisport is the game for you. The chance that multisport/triathlon opens up for journey, nationally or internationally, is extraordinarily motivating – the anticipation of an upcoming abroad occasion actually motivates one’s coaching.’
FAVOURITE SPORT MEMORY
“Sport has at all times performed a significant position in my upbringing and grownup life. There have been quite a few highlights over the a long time. I’ve cherished all of the triathlon and multisport world championship occasions – the racing and time spent within the host cities. Another stand-out experiences in sport usually embrace: profitable the Veterans Blended Tandem Staff occasion on the 2020 Coast to Coast multisport occasion in New Zealand with my spouse, profitable the U10 JLMC and U13 Ampol Cups in soccer in Melbourne as a junior, shedding to Wimbledon Champion Pat Money within the U19 junior tennis semi-finals on the Echuca Easter event within the early 80s and inserting fifth within the Aquabike on the 2018 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Fyn.”
WORLD TRIATHLON HERO
‘My favorite Australian triathlete is Ashleigh Mild – would like to see her take Gold on the Olympics, though she has concentrated extra just lately on longer-distance triathlons.’
World Triathlon needs all athletes, competing within the 2023 World Triathlon Multisport Championships (29 April – 7 Might), all the perfect! For the elite races, TriathlonLive.tv may have full protection of the duathlon (together with blended relay), aquathlon and lengthy distance triathlon occasions, and prolonged highlights of the cross duathlon and cross triathlon and with over 3,000 athletes from 61 international locations competing for world titles, all age group races may have a end line digital camera watchable on the platform.
