Emily Loughnan

Australian ace Emily Loughnan showcased her great potential by winning the 25-29 age group at the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, a year after finishing second.

After that sensational display, turning professional appeared to be a natural next step for Emily, but it hadn’t always been plain sailing.

Doubting her future in sport in 2015, she paired with coach Julian Nagi and immediately began to see results, finishing that year by winning her age group at IRONMAN Western Australia.

2016 and 2017 brought more age-group success for Emily with victories at IRONMAN 70.3 Mooloolaba (2016) and IRONMAN New Zealand (2017) as well as that famous Kona triumph.

2018 saw Emily step up to the professional ranks without missing a beat. She finished in the top 10 at every full-distance and 70.3 race she entered in 2018 and 2019, and made the podium at IRONMAN Western Australia and IROMAN 70.3 Geelong (both in 2019).

Away from triathlon Emily is a qualified physiotherapist and an average week for her consists of 20-25 hours training and 40-45 hours working at her day job.

She is driven by the desire to be the best athlete and person she can be, while also hoping to inspire others with her attitude and desire.

Emily’s most treasured possessions are her pyjamas, she can’t live without them, while her favourite cheat meal consists of peanut butter on toast. She is not meanwhile a fan of scary movies...

Loughnan prides herself on always working hard and being a fierce competitor when on the course, while she counts her parents as her heroes in life.

When it comes to the triathlon disciplines, she reveals: “I don’t like the technicalities that come with the bike and I love the simplicity of the act of running”.

The best advice Emily has received in her career meanwhile is: “keep it simple, relax, and enjoy”.