UC graduate achieves world championship

Graham Robinson

6 August 2008: University of Canberra graduate Michelle Wu has claimed the 2008 World Age Group Triathlon title. Ms Wu took the title with a win in Vancouver following wins at the Canberra Capital Triathlon, Hobart International Triathlon and a second in the Olympic distance championships in Perth.

Ms Wu completed a graduate diploma in Medical Diagnostics at UC and now works for IP Australia in their patents office. “My time at the University of Canberra was very enjoyable, I found that I could organise my training around my study as everyone was very understanding.

“I commenced serious training to compete in triathlons when I started my studies at the University, the travel and competition meant I had to take two years to complete the diploma. I found it was a very supportive campus during that time,” she said.

Michelle Wu’s goal now is to turn professional," I was taken by surprise in winning in Vancouver as I wasn’t expecting to even though I was one of the top five competitors in the field.”

ITU World Age Group Triathlon Champion, Michelle Wu

Her goal is to compete for Australia at the 2012 Olympics in London. “I need to apply for a professional licence and then compete on the professional circuit world wide to gain enough points to qualify for the Olympics,” said Ms Wu.

She trains each week with a 15-20 kilometre swim, 200 kilometre bike ride and a 60 kilometre run but believes as she became involved in the sport quite late she expects to be able to compete at the elite level until she is in her 30’s.

Ms Wu expects the road to the Olympics to be a difficult one, however believes she is in a good position to achieve her dream. “My biggest hurdle will be cost, I have to travel all over the world and the cost of travel alone can run into thousands of dollars.”

She expects to be competing in professional triathlons by 2009.