16-year-old phenom Fanni Szalai spearheads supertri’s ‘NXT Gen’ of triathletes

supertri has launched an annual NXT Gen initiative to highlight and support future stars of triathlon.

What was previously Super League Triathlon has already provided an ideal launchpad to fast track the careers of a number of what are now some of the sport’s biggest names.

New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde, one of the favourites for gold at this summer’s Paris Olympics, is a prime example, while last year Britain’s up-and-coming Kate Waugh, also Paris-bound, was crowned the overall Super League champion on the women’s side. Matt Hauser and Cassandre Beaugrand are others who could fit into a similar category.

Future champions?

supertri says this latest project “celebrates, supports, and champions the next generation of triathletes” and demonstrates their commitment to shaping the ‘Future of Triathlon’.

And crucially a key aim is to break down some of the traditional barriers to the sport, including gender, race, and background.

NXT Gen’s ‘Class of 2024’ will put the spotlight on the following:

Fanni Szalai: The 16-year-old who has already made her mark at the top level. supertri has already given the Hungarian phenom her first experience of racing world-class athletes, as well as the opportunity to win prize money that has enabled her to level up her training, and support finding sponsors and new equipment required to race at the top level.

Eshe Stockton: Eshe is breaking barriers and her dream is to see more people of colour in triathlon. The 12-year-old will be racing Boston Triathlon before supertri Boston kicks-off off the League series and will be supported by an elite racing team.

Jude Jamjoom: One of the inspirational leaders of the movement to get more women and girls involved in triathlon in Saudi Arabia, Jude has trodden the path herself, breaking boundaries and pushing limits.

Middaugh brothers: Sullivan and Porter Middaugh are brothers in a triathlon dynasty – their father Josiah is a multiple XTERRA World Champion. But they need support on a journey to a home Olympics in LA 2028. They are backed by USA Triathlon’s Project Podium, and thanks to its partnership with supertri, they will be given elite racing opportunities and a pathway to reach the top of the sport.

Inspiring others

supertri CEO and Co-Founder, Michael D’hulst, said: “I am very proud to launch our NXT Gen campaign.

“supertri has always sought to ‘Inspire the Competitor in Everyone’, and the goal of establishing the NXT Gen framework is to create opportunities for us to do exactly that, and use the power of our platform to support initiatives and amplify incredible stories which can serve as inspiration for even more people to get involved in a wonderful sport.”