TRIATHLON: RUGBY’s Mike Smallwood is celebrating after winning a hat-trick of awards in the space of a month following a hugely success season both on British soil and abroad.
The 70-year-old is currently the chairman of Rugby Triathlon Club and has recently been recognised for his outstanding achievements in the sport of triathlon.
Smallwood, who hails from Daventry, was named the 2016 Daventry District Local Sportsman of the Year award back in October while he was also named the Local Male Sportsman of the Year for 2016 at the Northamptonshire Sports Awards.
He completed his hat-trick earlier this month after travelling to Leeds for the British Triathlon Federation awards where he came away with the title of the Male Age Group Triathlete of the Year.
The awards are recognition of Smallwood’s success in sport over the past year after winning several notable races in the 70-74 age group category.
Smallwood’s year started with victory in the European Sprint Duathlon Championship in Germany back in April and he followed that up by winning both the English National Standard Distance and British Sprint Triathlon Championships.
Another trip abroad saw Smallwood taste success in the European Sprint Triathlon Championship held in Lisbon, Portugal and in June he became a triple European winner after coming first in the European Aquathlon Championship held in Chateauroux, France back in June.
The success continued on home soil too by winning the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championship in Liverpool but his biggest achievements came in September.
Smallwood travelled to Cozumel in Mexico where over five days he won the World Aquathlon Championship and the World Sprint Triathlon Championship, while also finishing runner-up in the World Standard Distance Triathlon Championship
“This competition year has been extremely successful for me,” said Smallwood reflecting back on the year. “It is one thing to set targets but it’s quite another to actually success and hit them all throughout the year.
“All three awards were special but the BTF Award was determined by members’ and fellow triathletes’ votes, so to get the approval of your peers definitely adds to the prestige.
“Every sports person dreams of representing their country and I have been fortunate to be able to represent Great Britain on a regular basis since 2007. I have shown that dreams can come true – even if you have to wait a while.”
Rugby Triathlon Club currently organises and promotes one triathlon race a year which takes place in Daventry. The race is suitable for novices and experienced competitors alike. More information www.rugbytriathlon.org.uk.
