TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

Blummenfelt reveals the moment he knew he’d win Tokyo gold after INSANE preparation

Norwegian great talks about the build-up to his golden moment in the Japanese capital

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

Kristian Blummenfelt has revealed exactly when he knew Olympic triathlon gold was in his grasp by sharing the details of his incredible build-up to the Tokyo Games of 2021.

On a recent episode of “The Triathlon Hour” by Jack Kelly, ‘Big Blu’ drew back the curtain on just how ready he was to produce the race of his life in the Japanese capital.

In a great interview, the Norwegian – who renews rivalry with Tokyo medalists Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde at WTCS Cagliari this weekend – spoke remarkably of just how confident he was leading into the race

Blummenfelt – “I was in insane shape”

After winning the gold medal in Tokyo, Blummenfelt recalls how many people asked him when he knew that the win was his, to which the Norwegian had a surprising answer.

Kristian Blummenfelt Olympic Games Triathlon Tokyo 2020 2021
Photo Credit: Wagner Araujo / World Triathlon

He revealed: “Going into Tokyo, I was in the best shape of my life, and when people asked me when I thought I had the win in my pocket, it was probably the day before.

“After doing my pre-race strides the day before, I thought okay, I have made it to the start line with no stress fractures, no injuries and no sickness. There is one more sleep and I am in insane shape.”

Leading into the race, Blummenfelt’s most recent result was sixth at WTCS Leeds – but his training gave him an incredible amount of confidence heading into the biggest race of his life.

Advertisement

Off the charts in training

Breaking down just how fit he was in the lead-up to the race in Tokyo, Blummenfelt said his training with fellow countryman Gustav Iden had given him so much confidence that he believed he could win in any scenario.

“I felt like even though I was standing on the start line with different possibilities of how it could play out, I was confident it would come together into a big group off the bike.

“If I had to, I could have gone harder in the swim to make the front group, but thought it would come together.

“I thought that then the way to win the race was for it to come together off the bike and for it to be a running race, because I was running super fast in training with super low lactate.”

Pulling back the curtain on just how fast he was running, Blummenfelt explained that he was dropping training partner Iden in training sessions with much less lactate.

“In the pre-camp in Tokyo in the heat, I was beating Gustav in training by about 10 seconds per kilometre with half his lactate on the brick sessions, so I knew I was in great shape.” 

This weekend, both Blummenfelt and Iden will race in Cagliari, as Blummenfelt looks to make his first WTCS podium since August 2021 as he builds back towards a title defence in Paris.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Lucy Charles-Barclay comes home second at the Miami T100.
Lucy Charles-Barclay ‘hungry’ for redemption at the second stop of the T100 Triathlon World Tour
Georgia Taylor-Brown WTCS Yokohama 2023 finish
World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin: Start time, preview, format and how to watch live
Kat Matthews PTO Tour US Open 2023
Kat Matthews shares details of race against time to recover from Miami T100 injury
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon confirm initial nine teams to qualify for Paris Olympic Games Mixed Relay
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...