Tthe Championships saw 50 athletes from 12 countries - Australia, Brazil, United States, Slovakia, Great Britain, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Hungary, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, and Czech Republic – competing in this the 12th edition of the event.

Kevin McDowell, two-time medallist at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, secured gold for the US in the men's race as he finished the distance in 2 hours 3min 38sec, 12 seconds ahead of second place Tomas Renc of the Czech Republic.

"I am amazed for my return to the competition, after a long time away from it, because of health issues," said McDowell.

"My teammates gave me all the support to be here.

"This victory means a lot, more than the Olympic medal.

"This medal marks a turning point in my career"

McDowell's teammate Chris Branden rounded off the podium in third with a time of 2:04:33.

Hungary's Zsofia Kovacks secured gold in her last World University Triathlon Championships ©FISU



In the women's race, Hungary's Zsofia Kovacks bade farewell to her University Championship career in style as she secured gold in a time of 2:16:04.

"This is my last World University Championship," she said.

"I am really happy for saying goodbye landing on the highest spot of the podium.

"This victory was won through challenged conditions, because of the exhausting heat during the race."

Great Britain's Heather Sellars finished in second, 27 seconds behind the Hungarian, while America's Kaitlin Donner was a further 31 seconds behind in third.

The US dominance really began to tell in the two relay events as both the men's and women's titles fell at the feet of the American teams.

In both of these events the Japanese teams picked up the bronze medal, with Great Britain taking silver in the women's contest and the Czech Republic securing silver in the men's.

The best result for the hosts came in the men's individual event where Wesley Matos finished in fourth with a time of 2:05:24.

The World University Championship Triathlon was the first of four International University Sports Federation (FISU) events due to take place in Brazil this year.

It will be joined by the World University Rugby Sevens Championships from August 7 until 10 in São Paulo, the World University 3x3 Basketball Championships from September 18 until 21 in Salvador and the International University Beach Games from November 25 until 29 in Florianopolis.

The World University Championships Triathlon was the first test event to take place ahead of the 2019 Summer Universiade, also due be held in the Brazilian capital.

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