Jetze Plat has become paratriathlon world champion for the sixth time in his career. The 31-year-old from Amsterdam came first in Abu Dhabi in extremely hot conditions. Geert Schipper from Spanbroek took the bronze.
It was very hot in the Yas Marina harbour. Already in the early morning the thermometer reached 27 degrees. The water temperature was above 28 degrees, but apparently that suited Plat well. The Amsterdammer was the first to get out of the water. In handcycling, Plat’s specialty, he increased his lead to almost two minutes. In the end he crossed the line 2 minutes and 18 seconds earlier than number two Florian Brungraber.
Geert Schipper also achieved success in Abu Dhabi. The North Hollander, who took the world hour record for handbiking from flat last week, finished third.
In recent years there has been no measure on Plat in the triathlon. In 2015 he had to award the world title to someone else for the last time.