After more than two decades dedicated to the sport, Australian triathlete Josh Amberger has announced his retirement from professional triathlon.
His final race will be this Sunday, December 7, at Patagonman Xtri, billed as one of the most extreme triathlon events on the planet.
The 36-year-old is known for his fearless racing style, raw swim speed, and candid personality and his decision to close this chapter at Patagonman feels like a fitting finale.
‘Joy and fulfilment’
Speaking before his last pro race, Amberger said: “Triathlon has been my life for 25 years, 20 of those as a professional.
“I’m proud to say that this weekend’s @patagonmanxtri marks my final race as a triathlete. I’m welling up as I write this – not from sadness, but from joy and the fulfilment of a dream that’s been lived.”
He has raced all over the world and built a reputation not only for his results but for his honest storytelling and vibrant personality that resonated with fans and fellow athletes alike.
“I’ve made the absolute most of my talents & I have experienced the sport to the fullest,” Josh wrote both on the Patagonman press release and on Instagram alongside a short film that gives a snapshot of his career. “The sport has seen me journey the globe, marry the woman of my dreams & forge lifelong friendships.”
A stellar career
He added: “I’ve have felt everything there is to feel from this incredible sport, & of course, I’ve pushed my body to its limit year after year.”
This season has seen Amberger tackle a variety of races, including the Wollongong T100 on home turf where his wife Ashleigh Gentle was second in the women’s race.
His last victory came at IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi in 2023, Gentle taking the women’s crown that day.
Other career highlights for Amberger include:
- IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Champion
- Multiple Ironman 70.3 wins
- IRONMAN Cairns Champion, his one full-distance win in 2017
- First out of the water at the Ironman World Championship (Kona) in 2017 and 2018
- Represented Australia at numerous international events
Why Patagonman?
Josh has long admired Patagonman Xtri, calling it “a dream race.” Located in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the course covers 226km through wild fjords, Andean mountains, and remote landscapes – a brutal yet beautiful final challenge.
“I wanted to end my career on a high, with one last great battle. Patagonman is the perfect place – one of the most beautiful, raw, and demanding races in the world,” said Amberger. “It reminds me why I fell in love with triathlon in the first place.
“I now have nothing left to do but overcome 226km one last time, & ring the bell to close out the chapter. I’ll have my best mate with me to crew, & I couldn’t think of a more perfect & gnarlier way to say goodbye to the sport that’s shaped me.
“Thanks for being part of my journey, in ways great or small. It’s been incredible & I’m retiring happy,” Josh added in his heartfelt message to fans.
