Luis, Knibb win 2026 Ironman World Championships in Kona

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Some of the world’s greatest athletes took on the grueling course for the 2026 Ironman World Championships Saturday.

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The international triathlon took place in Kailua-Kona.

France’s Vincent Luis conquered the course on Saturday, finishing the swim, bike and marathon in 7 hours, 47 minutes and 27 seconds.

This is his first World Title and the first Frenchman to win in Kona.

With the championship, Luis is expected to wrap up his two-decade triathlon career.

“There are two things in the world of triathlon, it’s an Olympic gold and a Kona title,” Luis said. “I have one of them and all the rest is good enough for bookshelves, but yeah, now that title, I think the job’s done and I can look back at my career and be and be super happy and that peace.”

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This is the first year since 2022 that both the men and women competed in Kona and the first time since 2019 they’re on the course at the same time.

The women’s champion was the United States’ Taylor Knibb.

She finished the course in 8 hours, 36 minutes and 29 seconds.

Knibb was in second place down the stretch before overtaking last year’s champ Sloveig Loveseth after she bowed out.

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Knibb is only the second American to win in Kona in 24 years.

The Ironman World Championships will be back in Kailua-Kona next October.