Former Wairarapa College student Andrew Leighton will contest the International Triathlon Union duathlon world championships in Gyor, Hungary, this coming weekend. Leighton, whose grandparents Rita Leighton and Betty McLaren reside in Masterton, is in his fourth year of Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Commerce courses at Otago University andis part of a 12-strong team for the worlds selected by Triathlon Nerw Zealand. The 22-year-old is aiming for a top three finish in the 20-24yrs age group after being disappointed to miss out on selection for the elite competition. He will face a 10km run followed by a 39.3km cycle ride and a further 5km run. Leighton got into multisport two years ago after being involved in rugby and athletics and has had some excellent results, including a third in the under-23 cateogry at the national duathlon championships and a win in the Marlborough Multisport Club summer duathlon series. After the world championships Leighton's next objective will be to win the under-23 section at the national duathlon champs in June before focusing on preparing for Ironman New Zealand in 2008.
