Graham Borg places second in triathlon at World Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi

Maltese triathlete Graham Borg opened his 2026 season in commanding form, finishing second overall at the World Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi.

In a field of more than 200 athletes aged 30 and over, Borg outperformed competitors from younger age categories and secured second position in the M45 division, with the overall victory also going to an athlete from his same age group.

Borg delivered a standout performance across all three disciplines.

He opened the race with a commanding swim, immediately positioning himself at the front of his wave and recording the fastest swim split across all age categories.

During the 42.8km bike course – slightly longer than the standard Olympic-distance format – Borg closed the five-minute deficit to younger competitors who started their swim five minutes ahead, averaging an impressive 41 km/h on the bike route. This effort earned him the second-fastest bike time across all age groups.

Borg started the final run in first place overall, but his age group competitor who started the run in overall third, moved ahead during the race, leaving Borg to cross the finish line in second overall with a time of two hours and eight minutes.

The performance and podium finish underline a strong and encouraging start to Borg’s 2026 triathlon season, as he turns his focus to international racing and longer Ironman-distance challenges.

Borg is joined in Abu Dhabi by his partner, Rebecca Sare’, who makes her Open Masters Games debut this week where she will be competing in the long jump and the triple jump events.