Vincent Luis may have prepared for the IRONMAN World Championship like it was his last ever big professional race, but the new Kona king admits he is now undecided over whether this huge success should indeed be his career swansong.
After more than 20 years as a professional triathlete, covering short-course success right through to full-distance glory, this was always planned as his final farewell… one more race before accepting retirement.
An Olympic bronze medal winner in the Mixed Relay of Tokyo 2020, the Frenchman went into this weekend eager to add another major prize to his collection – but few outside of his close circle of friends and family could have truly imagined he would become World Champion.
Simply had too much for Blummenfelt
Even as Luis maintained his presence among the leaders through the swim, on the bike and into the run, he was not really expected to be the one who would break through and take advantage of Dane Magnus Ditlev’s collapse on the Kona curbside.
But having despatched Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) just when the duo looked to be closing in on the podium, he then held off an incredible surge from the other Norwegian, Gustav Iden, who had left T2 almost nine minutes behind the leaders after picking up a three-minute drafting penalty.
Iden ran the fastest marathon of the day at 2:36:58, but it wasn’t quite enough to catch Luis, who, from the moment he passed Ditlev with around 10km remaining, never really looked in any trouble.
Indeed, he even allowed himself a little celebration on the way into the finishing chute, high-fiving with his supporters as he came across the line in 7:47:27.
‘That was a crazy day out there’
Now he admits that he will have to spend a little time pondering what his next move will be… having suggested before the race that if he won, then he would rethink his retirement plans.
“That was just a crazy day out there. I just spent the last three months preparing like this will be the last time I will ever have to commit that hard for a race,” he said. “And yeah, I said if I win, then maybe I will doubt continuing (with his retirement plans).
“But I went through some dark places in the last three or four days, and it’s 100% worth it. But yeah, let’s see. I have a few nights out now to decide what I do with my life.”
One thing is for sure: whether he decides to hang up his tri-suit or continue competing, his name will now be added to the list of champions, and he will be regarded as one of the very best in the business.
‘The rest is good enough for the bookshelves’
Something very different from how he felt some people regarded him during parts of his career.
“I’ve always wanted to have a life my way, make my own decisions, build a team around me and pick the people I want to work with,” he said. “I always say I want to work with people I can go to dinner with.
“I felt like the past few years I was a bit more like, you know, seen as the joker, like the court jester, the guy that has these custom helmets and custom bikes but only finishes in tenth or twelfth.
“That was not me, you know. I fought my whole life to have an Olympic medal. And I always say there are two things in the world of triathlon worth fighting for. It’s an Olympic gold and a Kona title. I have one of them, and all the rest is good enough for bookshelves.
“Now I have the Kona title, I think maybe the job’s done, and I can look back at my career and be super happy and at peace.”
So his debut at Kona could end up being his swansong, after all. And as he celebrated after crossing the line, first with partner and fellow triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown, and then with the laurel wreath around his head, it was clear to see just how much this win meant to him.
Read more:
Kona’s cruellest twist: How Løvseth’s late collapse handed Knibb world title
IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2026 women’s results: Knibb wins after INCREDIBLE late twist
IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2026 men’s results: Vincent Luis takes dramatic win
IRONMAN Kona 2026 as it happened as Knibb and Luis crowned champions
