Davis & Elkins College head triathlon coach Dr. Chris Hammer earned a gold medal and captured his first world title in the 2021 World Triathlon Para Championships Abu Dhabi. Two other U.S. athletes also collected world crowns in triathlon competition.
Athletes competed in a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run through Yas Marina and part of the Yas Marina Circuit, a Formula One motorsports track.
Competing in the PTS5 category, Hammer sprinted through the finish line in 58 minutes, 34 seconds. He was just 2 seconds ahead of challenger Aleksandr Konyshev (Russia) at 58:36 and 4 seconds in the clear of third-place finisher Ronan Cordeiro (Brazil) at 58:38.
In August, Hammer placed fourth in the Paralympic Games Tokyo.
