When Joao Nuno Batista crossed the line in Hamburg, he did not simply become the World Junior champion.
He became an integral half of an achievement never seen before in triathlon.
Along with his elder brother, Ricardo, Batista became one half of the first pair of brothers to win the World Junior Championships.
Ricardo Batista claimed his title in 2019 at the World Junior Championships in Lausanne. Like his younger brother, he claimed his victory on the back of a sensational running split. By a quirk of history, Ricardo’s field-leading run split of 15:37 was exactly a minute slower than Joao Nuno’s 5km split in Hamburg. It goes without saying that different courses play a big role in that (and different measurements). Nevertheless, bragging rights on that front currently reside with the younger sibling.
Joao Nuno nearly matched Ricardo’s win in 2019 as he won a silver medal on home turf at the World Junior Championships in Quarteira. Although his was denied gold, his performance indicated his immense promise. Born in 2005, Joao Nuno Batista was one of the youngest men in the field; he will still technically be eligible to start again as Junior next year.
Two years later, he sealed the deal in emphatic fashion.
Not even the vaunted Brownlee brothers managed to both win the World Junior crown. Alistair won in 2006 and followed it up with a silver in 2007 (in Hamburg of all places). However Jonathan had a best finish of 2nd in 2009.
The Batista’s, then, have one-upped triathlon’s famous fraternal pairing.
Looking to the future, the picture also looks promising. Already this year, Ricardo has won his first World Cup medal. On the same weekend he earned bronze in New Plymouth, his younger brother claimed a bronze medal at the European Junior Cup in Quarteira.
Injury has slowed Ricardo’s season a little, but he can be expected to bounce back. With a big summer, he could even put himself in contention for a spot on the Portuguese team at next year’s Olympic Games.
Both Batista’s are still young athletes and it is too soon to expect the world from them. Having made history, though, it will be fascinating to see what they do next.
