Guernsey triathlete Josh Lewis said he “couldn’t be prouder” after he took home the first medal of the 2019 Island Games in Gibraltar.
Lewis took first place in the men’s triathlon ahead of the Isle of Man’s Will Draper and Jersey’s Ollie Turner.
Speaking immediately after the win, Lewis said:
“I couldn’t be happier or prouder. I’ve been chasing this for a good few years.
“I’ve done about six Games of swimming and triathlon altogether and this is my first medal.
“I’m so happy to have been able to finally get a medal and gold is just the icing on the cake.
“I’m so happy to have done this for Guernsey.”
Lewis was in the top two for the vast majority of the race, his neck and neck battle with Ollie Turner throughout the swimming and cycling sections one of the highlights of the race.
Turner dropped back to third in the running stage, but Lewis reserved plenty of praise for his fellow competitor and training partner.
The Guernsey athlete said: “It was a great race with Ollie.
“I’m so happy to have one, raced together, and been at that level together throughout the race.
“It looked like he suffered a bit on the run but I’m happy that he did as well as he did.”
The triathlon in itself is one of sport’s most demanding events.
Lewis achieved the gold medal after a 1500 metre sea swim followed by a 40km non-drafting bike and a 10km run.
It goes without saying that the endurance levels of the athletes have to be top class.
He added: “We put hours and hours, almost working weeks, into this.
“It’s a massive relief to see this kind of result come forward and finally put into practice what we practice every day.”
It was a double medal success for Guernsey this morning, with Megan Chapple taking home the silver in the women’s triathlon.
RS Sport 