Wanaka's Tony Dodds has been added to the New Zealand triathlon team for April's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand's Tony Dodds at the Rio Olympic Games 2016. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz
Dodds came 21st at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 10th in the Olympic distance triathlon and 5th in the mixed team relay at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
He joins Ryan Sissons, Tayler Reid, Andrea Hewitt, Rebecca Spence, and Nicole van der Kaay in the team.
Dodds became a competitive triathlete in 2005 and quickly made his way to the top of the sport in New Zealand, securing the title of New Zealand U23 Champion three times and winning the New Zealand Sprint Championships in both 2010 and 2011, as well as achieving a number of top placings on the world stage.
Triathlon New Zealand's High Performance Director Mark Elliott says he is very pleased with Tony's focus and efforts.
"Tony had challenges at the end of last season including a significant injury which had him out of competition. To his credit he fully committed to a strong rehabilitation program and trained with great focus over these last three months," said Elliott.
"It's great to see that application and focus be rewarded with selection to the team."
"With significant international experience in Sprint Distance and Mixed Team Relay, Tony is a strong addition to the team."
Tony Dodds is looking forward to representing New Zealand once again.
"The training I've been doing has made me really strong and injury free and we haven't even touched on our hard zones for training yet so I think I'm really well prepared," said Dodds.
NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith extended her congratulations to Dodds.
"Tony has been a fantastic and positive team member during past campaigns. We look forward to having him back in the fold and I look forward to watching him compete in April," said Smith.
The Sprint Distance Triathlon will take place on the 5th April and the Mixed Team Relay on the 7th April on the Gold Coast.
The naming takes the total number of athletes selected to the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team to 114.
-RNZ
