Wirral Student nominated for Your Champions award in recognition for his determination and winning Sprint Triathlon World Champion

Oct 19 2011 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A STUDENT from Wirral has been nominated for a Your Champions award in recognition of his determination and international sporting achievements.

Wirral News has teamed up with ScottishPower to highlight the good work of an individual or group which has benefited the community.

Ryan Hanlon from Rock Ferry has been put forward for the sporting champion category.

The 21-year-old student is studying a degree in construction management at Liverpool John Moores University.

Since the age of 10, Ryan has been competing in duathlons (which consists of run, bike, run) and triathlons (swim, bike, run), always finishing in the top four.

Ryan trains with Mersey Tri in locations across Wirral and Liverpool.

Nominating Ryan for the award is his mum, Tracey, who says his achievement should be celebrated, especially since he had to regain his fitness after being hit by a car.

Tracey told the News: “Ryan is determined and dedicated to the sport, which has enabled him to progress and he aims to reach the top and become a leading light.

“Ryan is a down-to-earth, level headed lad who never lets success go to his head.

“In his spare time he helps to promote sport by training younger people, coaching them in swimming, cycling and running.

“In 2009, he won the Northwest Duathlon Championships and the city’s first Liverpool Triathlon - sprint, and came second in the World's Biggest Triathlon in London.

“He was on top form but then tragically he was hit by a car whilst out training. This only added to his determination to work hard to regain his fitness and he came back on even better form.”

Ryan has gone from strength to strength, competing internationally. He hopes to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

Tracey added: “Ryan won gold at the British Championships. This qualified him to compete in the ETU European Championships in Limerick, Ireland in April, and he came fourth. He then went on to win his age group at the QE2 Sprint Triathlon in Newcastle, securing his place on the Great Britain Sprint Triathlon Team.

“Last month, Ryan took part in the Sprint Triathlon World Championships grand final in Beijing, China and he came first, making him ITU Dextro Energy Sprint Sprint Triathlon World Champion.

“Ryan will now go on to compete in next year’s World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.

“His aim is to retain his title and to keep working towards his goal of representing Great Britain competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

“This achievement is worth celebrating and sharing within our local community as after all, this is where he was born and bred.”

There are five categories and the winners will be honoured at a presentation ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chester on November 18.

The deadline for nominations this year has now closed.