Rhianne Hughes: Building Momentum After a Breakthrough Season
After a packed 2025 race calendar, Rhianne Hughes has wrapped up her season with a string of standout performances and plenty to be proud of. Since starting triathlon in 2021, Rhianne has continued to make huge strides, this year focusing on developing her swim and bike, while gaining valuable experience across a range of international races.
Highlights from her season include a podium finish at Challenge Cesenatico, 4th at Challenge Gdansk, and 7th at Ironman 70.3 Swansea, her first ever Pro Series event. Add to that a strong showing at T100 Wollongong, and it’s clear Rhianne’s consistency and upward trajectory are setting her up for an exciting 2026.
We caught up with Rhianne to reflect on her season, talk about what she’s learned along the way, and find out what’s next as she looks ahead to even bigger goals next year.
Background & Development
You’ve had an amazing year of progress — how would you sum up your 2025 season?
My 2025 season was a year of learning and working on my weaknesses. I used this year to get used to professional racing and transition properly from age group racing by learning more about tactics and how to race. I dealt with injuries throughout the whole year which caused me to do less running.
What were your main goals going into this season, and do you feel like you achieved them?
My main goals were to keep my pro licence this year and within my first race I had already achieved that. Also to gain as much race experience as I could on a professional level. I was able experience all kinds of racing form Challenge races, Ironman 70.3 Pro Series Races and even a T100.
You mentioned focusing on your swim and bike — how has that development shaped your confidence in racing?
By working on swimming it allows you to set up your race better and allows you more off a buffer to the front of the race for the run where I usually make up most of my time. You spend the largest proportion of the race on the bike so by prioritising the bike this is the key to getting closer to the front of the race and being more competitive.
You’ve raced all over this year — do you have a favourite event or course that stood out?
My favorite course would be Ironman 70.3 Swansea, I have done the race 3x and each time I have been able to have a highlight performance each year.
Performance & Learning
Challenge Cesenatico and Gdansk were both standout results — what clicked for you in those races?
Challenge Cesenatico was my first professional podium and Gdansk was a 4th place finish. During these two races I nailed my nutrition allowing me to produce fast run splits in both races.
Competing in your first Pro Series event at 70.3 Swansea must have been a big moment — how did that experience compare to other races?
When attending higher standard races everything is more professional about them and you get to compete against some of the best athletes. I was able to compete against Kat Matthews in this race which was cool and inspiring to be able to stand on a start line with her.
Every athlete has ups and downs — what was the biggest lesson you took away from this season?
My biggest lesson is to really enjoy the highs and to try and not let the downs get you too down. Elite sport comes with a lot of downs and you just need to keep your head up and do what you can do to keep going and get the best out of yourself.
You mentioned potentially stepping up the distance next year. What draws you to that challenge?
I would like to be competitive in the ironman pro series next year. This series offers big end of year bonuses, and I believe this would be the best thing for my career and becoming a well-rounded and successful long course athlete. You can scores double the points for doing a full distance ironman and two of these races will count. The top 50 in the pro series get end of year bonuses.
Mindset & Motivation
How do you stay motivated through the long training blocks and busy race calendar?
I love both training and racing, but the thought of doing everything I could do to get to the start line helps keep me motivated and accountable to training and racing each day.
What do you enjoy most about the process of improvement — the training, the racing, or the learning?
I enjoy racing because those are the times where all the training is put to the test.
What’s been your proudest moment in triathlon so far?
My proudest moment of triathlon so far is my first professional podium at Challenge Cesenatico.
TRI-FIT Connection
This was your first full season racing in TRI-FIT kit — how has it performed for you out on course?
I have really enjoyed racing in TRI-FIT kit. I think it looks really good and feels really good when on.
Do you have a favourite TRI-FIT piece or go-to combo for race day?
My favourite piece would be my custom trisuit. It looks really good.
How important is having kit you trust when you’re racing at this level?
It is really important because you need to be comfortable in order to perform well. It also needs to fit you well to allow you to
Fun & Future
What’s your ideal post-race treat after a big event?
My ideal post race treat after a big event is a burger or a pizza with family.
If you could race anywhere in the world next year, where would it be?
I would love to go race in New Zealand or Australia again.
What’s next for you heading into 2026 — any early goals or plans you can share?
My plans for 2026 are to do my first full distance race and go for the Ironman Pro Series.
Rhianne’s 2025 season has been one of consistency, growth, and progress — the kind that sets the foundation for even bigger things to come. With experience gained across multiple international races and confidence growing with every start line, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting next chapter.
We’re proud to support Rhianne as part of Team TRI-FIT and can’t wait to see what she achieves next season.
