By Dan Wilson
Josh Landmann, a para-triathlete based in Poulton-le-Fylde, is just one race away from qualifying for Team GB next year.
After a fifth place finish in Taranto, Italy last week, Josh is now within touching distance of the biggest stage of all.
The latest official World Triathlon para rankings now see Josh 12th in the world table, the highest of any athlete from Great Britain.
A second fifth-place finish on the bounce in his next race in Abu Dhabi in 2024 will give the 29-year-old his seat on Team GB for next year.
Josh said: “It’s been a long old year with many ups and downs but I’m pleased to finish with a solid performance.
“All splits across the swim, bike and run were in the top three which I’m over the moon with.”
A first-place finish in his home race at Dorney Lake in August sent Josh rocketing up the rankings, and after this latest result in Italy, he finds himself poised to become a Paralympian in 2024.
Brett Crossley from Leeds is his closest British competitor and he sits 20th in the rankings, over 1000 qualifying points behind Landmann.
Para-triathlon consists of a 750m swim in open water, a 21km cycle, and a 5km run, usually in a custom race chair.
Josh was left paralysed from the chest down at 20 years old after breaking his neck diving into a swimming pool on holiday in 2014.
He said: “From having my accident all those years ago and not knowing where my life would go, it would mean the world to be a Paralympian.
“It grew me as a person and I realised the importance of fulfilling a positive and successful life after such a life-changing accident.
“People have supported me from the start and it would mean a lot to pay people back.”
Josh, who only took up para-triathlon in 2017, is also a motivational speaker, and was even an international alpine skier before he changed course to focus on triathlons.
Josh trains year-round, across various terrains and conditions worldwide, alongside his coach from ‘Bee Triathlon Coaching,‘ as well as at Fortitude Fitness Gym in Poulton.
The next destination for Josh is Abu Dhabi, and a race he is calling ‘The big one,’ which will be make or break in the Lancashire man’s bid for a place on Team GB next year.
This race isn’t until March 3 2024, so he’ll have plenty of time to prepare with training camps and smaller national races that don’t count towards qualifying.
A list of Josh’s last five major race results:
- 5th Place – World Triathlon Para Cup Taranto – 29 October 2023
- 5th Place – World Triathlon Para Cup Alhandra – 8 October 2023
- 8th Place – World Triathlon Para Championships Pontevedra – 23 September 2023
- 1st Place – GBR Paratriathlon National Championships – 26 August 2023
- 6th Place – World Triathlon Para Series Swansea – 15 July 2023
