Dodds Calls Time on Triathlon Career

Wanaka’s Tony Dodds has called time on his triathlon career, ending 13 years of training and racing at the top level in a career that has taken him around the world to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, and multiple World Championship events wearing the silver fern.

Dodds turns 31 next month and in a fashion that is typical of the honesty you always get from the ‘southern man’ of triathlon, he describes the moment he knew he was done.

“I got on the bike one day went 20 minutes and I knew ‘I was done’. Essentially the fun was gone, and my heart wasn't in it. The enjoyment just wasn’t there, and I simply turned back home. You sometimes hear athletes say, 'they knew the moment it was over’, I understand that now, that ride was my moment.

“This past year or so has had a few ups and downs, and I guess over that time a number of factors have led to me seriously considering my future in the sport, but that bike ride was the moment I knew.”

Dodds has always worn his heart on his sleeve and despite suffering numerous injury and selection setbacks in his career, he has always managed to smile his way through the tough times, just as he has enjoyed the many good days in the sport that at his peak saw him ranked 12th in the world.

2016 was a particularly testing time for the Wanaka athlete, struggling to overcome a nagging hip injury, Dodds was robbed twice within a week while in Barcelona. But he would overcome both the injury and those smash-and-grab setbacks to race at the Rio Olympic Games later that year.

“Post Rio I was in thinking about it (retirement) but knew that I hadn't quite reached my peak and hadn't left every stone unturned. I could have retired then but that would have left me with regrets. I can comfortably say now that I am fully relaxed about it, I am confident and excited about my decision.”

In amongst the many hours of training, rehab from injuries and the at times lonely existence of a professional athlete, Dodds always found the bright side, and is fiercely proud of every opportunity he had to wear the silver fern.

“I have had an absolute blast living my dream, travelling the world meeting new people and racing alongside some of my best mates!

“I am very proud to have represented New Zealand at the Glasgow and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Rio Olympics, that was always the ultimate and my dream as a young Kiwi – to one day wear that silver fern at the Olympic Games.”

Dodds has not done it all on his own however and thanked a core group of supporters for their help along the way.

“My sincere thanks to my former Coach Tim Brazier and more recent coach John Hellemans for their valuable coaching and support, you have made me into the man I am now.

“Thank you to HPSNZ, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Tri NZ for helping me achieve my goals. To my faithful sponsors Asics, Adidas Eyewear, Blueseventy, Specialized NZ, SIS hydration, Immersion Marketing, Pak n Save, Steve and Jacqui McDonald, and my family and friends for supporting me every step of the way, you all definitely made yourselves heard at races!”

Dodds won’t stay idle for long, for an athlete who is just as at home hunting in the backcountry of the South Island as he is on the start line of an ITU World Series race in some of the biggest cities in the world, he has a few irons in the fire.

“My focus now is doing the things I dreamed of while I was a Triathlete. Just the chance to not have to live out of a suitcase will be amazing – to stay in one place for a decent length of time. For now, I will be tinkering around our section building little bits and pieces and looking after some farm animals.

“Work wise I am taking some time to go over my options, I love commentating and working in the media, but I also have options in the building trade, which I also would love to do!

“I am currently Coaching Triathletes and runners doing a few events throughout New Zealand through a business called "Coached" (www.coached.fitness). It is a Singapore based business run by an old mate and former triathlete Ben Pulham, I look after the New Zealand side of the business and that is going great.

“But I know it can be hard transitioning from a pro athlete to the ‘working world’, I know a lot of people struggle with it, so it may take some time to adjust. But once I have made up my mind on anything, I'm fully committed and give it 100%, so I'm not too worried, I just have to transfer my goals and dedication into something else.”

Tony Dodds aka ‘Doddsy’

30 years old

Balclutha born, Wanaka bred

Attended John McGlashan College & Southland Boys High School

Highlights

Silver medalist, New Zealand team, 2013 ITU mixed relay World Championship
Bronze medalist, New Zealand team, 2010 ITU mixed relay World Championship
4th place, 2009 ITU World U23 Triathlon Championships
10th and leading NZ male at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
21st at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
3 x NZ U23 champion
Multiple NZ triathlon championship titles and podiums
Multiple Oceania Triathlon titles and podiums

ends

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