Aaron continues to excel across Europe

CARRICKMORE’S Aaron Travers has enjoyed plenty of success across Europe over the past two months.

In mid-March, he claimed his first ever pro class overall victory in Glasgow and since then he has gone on to impress with Waterford’s Darragh Corcoron in Belgium before he went on to team up with Jake Williamson in Paris and he was back in action in Barcelona at the weekend at three key World Championship qualifying events.

Alongside Corcoron in Belgium, Travers earned a place in the age-group doubles competition at the World Championships by winning their category in a sensational time of 54.22 minutes, only missing out on the overall victory by less than two minutes on the day too.

“We came first in our age-group to qualify for Chicago,” beamed the 25-year-old Tyrone man. “We had to finish first in our age group to qualify because there was only one spot up for grabs, so we did that, but we also finished second overall, finishing behind two guys from Belgium who are already in the Elite 15.

“They are a strong pairing but it was a tough race, which we were leading up until the burpees and then they passed us before going on to win by 80 or 90 seconds. In the end it was comprehensive but it was a good experience.”

Two weeks later, Aaron was back in action in Paris alongside well-known Hyrox athlete, Williamson, who after beating him into second place in Glasgow decided a case of if you can’t beat them, join them was the best idea for them both.

On the day, they recorded a stunning time of 51.22 minutes which was only good enough for 7th overall, which meant they didn’t qualify for the Elite 15 doubles in Chicago.

“I didn’t now him at all. He’s a full-time athlete in England and he reached out about doing the doubles once I won Glasgow and he finished second,” Aaron explained.

“We were going over to Paris to try and qualify for the Elite 15 doubles but we ended up seventh. You had to come in the top three overall but we were up against the best in the world because it was the last opportunity to qualify.”

Having already earned an age-group spot in both the individual and doubles sections at the World Championships, Aaron still harboured hopes of earning a place in the Elite 15 in Chicago and at the weekend he entered the last chance saloon in Barcelona to achieve that aim.

And while a little disappointed to have missed out in the end, he’s looking forward to his trip to America and beyond with confidence.

“There were only three spots up for grabs in Barcelona and it was the last three so it brought everyone who was in and around the top to that event,” he added.

“There was massive names there and I came 11th overall out of 400 and something competitors. It was a tough course and I think first overall was 56-something, but it was a great experience and I beat a lot of top guys, so to even do that in my first year, I’m very happy. I’m delighted.

“And I’m looking forward to Chicago, it will be a great experience but I’m also looking forward to next season because I feel it’s going to be my time to break into the Elite 15.

“Hopefully I can keep the momentum going but first I want to podium [in Chicago] and I’m buzzing to have six weeks to train for it now.”