Triathlon journey comes full circle for Els Visser as she announces retirement and a return to medicine

Els Visser has announced her retirement from professional triathlon, with IRONMAN Western Australia this weekend her farewell race.

That will be a fitting finale as the Dutch athlete started her pro career at the Busselton event back in 2017 and has competed there in each of the last three seasons, including a runner-up spot in 2022.

Few other women have raced as frequently as Visser in the last few seasons – Sunday will be her ninth event of the season, down on an incredible 16-race schedule in 2024.

She’s a multiple winner at both full and middle-distance, with the highlights including IRONMAN New Zealand and then Challenge Almere on home soil in 2023.

Her path to triathlon was an extraordinary one too and came after she survived a shipwreck near Indonesia when she was a medical student back in 2014 by swimming eight hours to the nearest island.

That remarkable story was made into a film earlier this year called ‘Resilience’ and speaking at the launch, Visser said: “That realisation set me on a path I’d never dared to dream of. The path to triathlon. To the world of elite sports. To a life where I would challenge myself again and again, sometimes fail miserably, but also experience what it means to push boundaries.”

Incredible journey

But now comes the full circle moment as she is about to return to the world of medicine after Sunday’s race.

Writing on Instagram she explained: “I’m stepping away from professional sport.

“Sunday will be my final race, and it feels pretty special that it’s happening here in Western Australia, the place where I did my very first professional race back in 2017. It really feels like things have come full circle.

“This journey has taken me so much further than I ever imagined. I’ve won Ironman races, stood on podiums, broken records, and surprised myself over and over again. I’m incredibly grateful for everything this sport has given me.

“Along the way, I’ve met amazing people, travelled the world, and learned so much about myself, about resilience, passion, and what it really means to give everything you have.”

‘Ready for this next chapter’

And looking to the future, she added: “At the same time, medicine has always been my other path. What started as a PhD in surgery has grown into a deep interest in longevity and how movement, nutrition, sleep, and recovery help us live longer and healthier lives. My mission is shifting now, from chasing performance to helping others build vitality and balance through lifestyle and public health.

“It takes courage to step into something new, but I feel ready to embrace this next chapter. I don’t know exactly what the future will look like, and honestly that is what makes it exciting. I’m ready for this next chapter and curious to see where it leads.

“Sunday, we will go again, one more time. I will race with my whole heart. Whatever happens, I will give it everything and enjoy every moment out there.

“Thank you to my family, friends, coach, sponsors and you for being part of this journey. Your support has meant the world to me, and I cannot wait to share what comes next 🩵”

We wish Els all the best in the next phase of her life – and how fitting would it be if she could bow out with a win in Western Australia, having gone so close to a victory there in the past.