Bronze in bag, gold next: Ryan

STUDYING for school exams must feel like a stark contrast to standing on the podium in Hawaii.

That is the reality facing local athlete Lewis Ryan, 16, who recently returned home after his success at the Xterra World Championships (off-road triathlon) in Hawaii.

The Rotorua teen finished third in his division, the 15-19 age group, during only his second triathlon to date.

He qualified for the world champs after winning the under-19 category at Xterra New Zealand in Rotorua this year.

Ryan is now studying for his exams at Rotorua Lakes High School, which begin next week.

He was part of a small group of Rotorua athletes who attended the world champs recently.

Fellow Rotorua athlete Olly Shaw had a tough race during his first world champs at elite level, finishing 66th overall. Shaw had tasted victory at the world champs in 2012, in the 20-24 age group, and is a talent in the pro ranks.

Rotorua's Grant Utteridge also competed, finishing 43rd in the 50-54 age group.

Ryan said the event was brilliant. "It was so much better than what I expected."

Everyone on the island was right behind the event and the atmosphere was incredible. He said he was stoked to finish third in his category, against 11 of the best young off-road triathletes in the world.

"I think there was 12 in my division, but we have to qualify, so it was 12 of the best in the world," he said. "I think I was out of the water in eighth but I was close enough, and I blitzed it on the ride and felt good. I came into the run in third and had a solid run."

Ryan is a national secondary schools mountain-bike champion and will now focus on the national mountain-bike champs in Rotorua in February. However, he said he wanted to go back to Hawaii next year and win the 15-19 age group.

A hot temperature on race day in Hawaii had not troubled him too much.

"I think it was 32C on race day. It was hot but, because you were finding the race really hard anyway, you don't worry about it."