Search
shop

Quadruple multi-sport world champion “smiled through the suffering” at his ‘last dance’

"In the end, it’s not about medals or times. It’s about showing up, fighting through the pain, and loving every moment of it."
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Four-time Aquathlon World Champion Richard Varga has brought an end to his storied multi-sport career by finishing 23rd at Challenge ‘The Championship’ last weekend – but revealed afterwards he was nearly unable to line up in Samorin.

The Slovakian, who claimed international glory a quartet of times between 2010-2015 in the ITU Aquathlon World Championship – finishing second in both 2016 and 2021 – won eight triathlon races and recorded 14 podiums in his career to become his country’s most successful triathlete.

A two-time Olympian, competing at both the 2012 London and 2026 Rio Games, Varga finished 22nd and 11th respectively – both times behind British legends Alastair and Jonny Brownlee, with whom he was a long-time training partner.

Jonny had hoped to join Varga in Samorin but was ruled out earlier in the week because of illness.

Advertisement

“What a last dance”

Posting on Instagram, Varga expressed his gratitude for the career he has been able to have:

“What a last dance that was! Not the dance I wanted or expected. I wish I could say I nailed it, that I performed at my best. But life had other plans.

“I wanted to finish strong, on my home soil, in front of my family and friends. Instead, I was sick all week before, with a fever just hours before the race. Part of me thought about pulling out, but I knew I had to race, had to give it a shot.

“So I did. Swam hard, fought through cramps on the run, and dealt with weather that tested every bit of my resilience – weather that Al and Jonny Brownlee in Yorkshire Dales probably cursed from afar. Funny thing is, they couldn’t make it, but they sent the weather instead. Thanks for that Lads.

“It was tough. Really tough. But I smiled through the suffering because I knew it was the last time.”

Family matters

Varga went on to thank his family for their support over his entire career which began back in 2006 as a Junior where he finished 56th at the ETU Triathlon European Championships.

“Crossing that finish line with my friends, my daughters running beside me, that was something special. I knew my time as an elite triathlete is over, but I also knew I was passing the torch to the next generation. They’ll do better than I ever could!

Richard Varga farewell The Championship in Samorin 2025
Richard Varga’s emotional farewell in Samorin 2025 [Photo credit: Bartek Syta / ActiveImages for Challenge Family]

“And my wife Magdalena waiting me at a finish as she always does – she’s been with me through it all. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

“Thanks to everyone who was there, who made this day unforgettable. I’ll remember it forever. In the end, it’s not about medals or times. It’s about showing up, fighting through the pain, and loving every moment of it.”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Joe Skipper finished fifth at Challenge Roth 2023
Challenge Roth 2025: Triathlon star Joe Skipper comes back from the brink for another shot at iconic race
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...