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.
“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!
“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.”
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