Why Nick Thompson Deserves His 7th at the 2025 IRONMAN World Championships

On 14 September 2025 at Nice, France, Nick Thompson showed everyone what being an athlete with heart, humility, and serious talent really looks like.


Humble and Composed

Nick doesn’t make a big fuss about himself. He trains quietly, works hard, and shows up ready. In a field filled with Olympic champions and previous World Champions, he didn’t panic when the pace went out hot. Instead, he stayed calm, bided his time, and stuck to his plan. That composure kept him in the race when many would have overreached early.


Incredibly Talented

Nick has the physiology of a world-class endurance athlete. Tested just four weeks before the race at WA Sports Med, he recorded a VO₂ max of 90.1 ml/kg/min — a number reserved for the best in the sport. In Nice, he held 360 watts for 50 minutes (~6w/kg) to bridge across to the leaders. On a tough course with big climbs and technical descents, he didn’t just survive, he thrived.


Cares for People Around Him

This campaign wasn’t only about Nick. It was about racing for something bigger. When Jonathan suffered a career-ending injury at Busselton Ironman last year, Nick made the effort to visit him in hospital every day. In Nice, he carried that with him, racing “#stronglikejon” as a reminder of resilience and friendship.


A Good Bloke

Nick is respected because he’s genuine. A quiet worker, a good teammate, someone who lifts others up. He’s the kind of athlete the community wants to get behind, and that was clear when the Varsity pub in Perth erupted as he crossed the line.


How the Race Unfolded

Nick had a solid swim, settling into the main group filled with serious contenders. Up the road, the likes of Jonas Schomburg and Jamie Riddle pushed the pace, but Nick didn’t panic. He waited, then made his move — riding with Gustav Iden, Sam Laidlow, and Kristian Blummenfelt before bridging to the front. 

He descended brilliantly, placing himself 3rd off the bike, before a slower transition saw him out on the run in 6th. He ran smart and composed, eventually caught by Jonas Schomburg at 21km. A late charge by Matthew Marquardt forced him to dig deep, but this time he held on — a welcome sight after Cairns earlier this year, where Marquardt passed him in the closing kilometres.


Crossing the line in 7th place, Nick was the first Oceania athlete home and one of the youngest in the field at just 25 years old.



A Steady Rise

This was a performance built on progression. From finishing 21st at Kona in 2024, to now 7th at Nice in 2025, Nick is showing a steady upward trajectory. With youth, talent, and attitude on his side, the future looks bright.


Closing Thoughts

7th place at the Ironman World Championships isn’t just a number. For Nick Thompson, it’s proof of humility, elite talent, genuine care for others, and being a good bloke. He’s racing not only for himself, but for something bigger.

Nick has a big future ahead — and all of us at Ogging are proud to be part of the journey.


Pro Men:

  • 1. Casper Stornes (NOR) – 7:51:39 [45:21 / 4:31:26 / 2:29:25]
  • 2. Gustav Iden (NOR) – 7:54:13 [47:14 / 4:30:17 / 2:32:15]
  • 3. Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) – 7:56:36 [46:08 / 4:31:20 / 2:34:38]
  • 4. Marten Van Riel (BEL) – 8:02:18 [45:17 / 4:31:48 / 2:40:46]
  • 5. Sam Laidlow (FRA) – 8:03:55 [47:11 / 4:29:29 / 2:42:23]
  • 6. Jonas Schomburg (GER) – 8:07:04 [45:12 / 4:40:27 / 2:36:49]
  • 7. Nick Thompson (AUS) – 8:10:32 [46:16 / 4:30:40 / 2:48:21]
  • 8. Matthew Marquardt (USA) – 8:11:34 [46:11 / 4:39:39 / 2:40:24]
  • 9. Patrick Lange (GER) – 8:14:13 [47:11 / 4:50:38 / 2:31:33]
  • 10. Jamie Riddle (RSA) – 8:15:00 [45:15 / 4:37:21 / 2:47:35]

FAQs

Jonny Sammut is the founder of Ogging, a former elite professional triathlete and AIS representative from Perth, Western Australia. He competed at World Cup level, won WA Triathlete of the Year, and achieved podium finishes at Ironman 70.3 before a serious accident in December 2024 ended his professional racing career.

In December 2024, Jonny Sammut crashed at 52km/h into a give-way sign during Ironman Western Australia at Busselton. He suffered an open femur fracture, was helicoptered to Perth, and spent three months in hospital. He underwent 16 surgeries and 12 blood transfusions, and faced a choice between amputation and limb salvage.

Jonny chose limb salvage over amputation. As of 2025 he is still recovering, facing further surgeries including femur replating and limb-lengthening surgery to restore 5cm lost in his tibia. Amputation remains a possibility.

Rather than shutting Ogging down, Jonny's recovery deepened his commitment to the coaching community. Ogging has grown to support 150+ athletes across Australia, with Thursday track sessions in Perth regularly drawing 70+ athletes.

Yes. Despite ongoing recovery, Jonny continues to lead Ogging and its coaching team, which includes a former Irish Ironman record holder, a former WorldTour professional cyclist, and multiple Australian state champions.