From 26th of August 2014 James Chronis a Greek- Australian talented Triathlete will represent Greece in ITU and other International Triathlon Events.
We have asked him prior to answer some questions to introduce himself.
My father, Dennis was born to Greek immigrant parents who travelled and settled in Australia in 1955.
Both my Grandfather and my Grandmother are from ‘PELOPONISSOS’, Corintho and Tripoli. My mother’s sides come from a Greek Cypriot background, coming from a very proud Greek heritage it has always been a DREAM of mine to try and represent GREECE in the OLYMPIC games.
As a young boy from the age of 10, I enjoyed the water and I started swimming with a swimming club. This was long a passion of mine and I achieved numerous “STATE” qualifying times as well as at the age of fourteen a NATIONAL qualifying time for the 100mt Butterfly.
Along with swimming I used to have a passion for running. Nothing to serious but I would run with my father twice a week just a couple of times around the block for fun.
Upon starting High School and entering events in swimming carnivals and cross-country events, my Sports teacher asked if I would like to compete in the School Triathlon team. (Due to me winning all the Swimming events I had entered and getting on the podium in my running events.)
I thought I would give it a try, and sure enough in my first event, and using my steel mountain bike, I blitzed the field with over a minute lead. That was enough, I was hooked, I loved the bike ride and then the run because it broke the boredom of following that black line in the swimming pool.
As a High school student, I competed in the National Championships every year and managed to finish top 5 every year with a second place finish in the final year as a17 year old. By this time I was also competing as an ITU u/19 Junior which exposed me to many National and International Races.
To date I have had 3 International Podium finishes, 3rd in the OSAKA Asian Cup in Japan, 2nd in the YILAN Continental Cup in Taiwan, and also a 2nd place in Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as top 15 finishes in European Cups.
Interview : Giannis Psarelis
1. What Triathlon means to you? What are your goals as far as your involvement is concerned?
Growing up from swimming then transferring to triathlon has made it such a big part of my life.
I enjoy training and racing all over the world and it is a great way to see different parts of the world as well.
2. Do you plan to represent Greece or Australia in international competition?
From August 26th I will be representing Greece in ITU races and other triathlon competitions around the world.
3. What is a typical training week for you?
A typical training week for me would be about 25 kilometers in the pool, which can vary up to almost 35 a week if I am in a swim block.
Riding is about 250 – 350 kilometers with my longest every ride around 5 hours in my base season.
Running is between 70 – 90 kilometers a week through my season but in my base and run block it will be around 100km
4. What is a typical day for you?
A typical day while I am in Vitoria Gasteiz for my European base I would wake up around 8am for a morning jog which is anywhere between 30 – 50 minutes.
Then we would ride about 15 minutes to the pool to get in the water at 10:30 for a swim set which would vary between aerobic, Heart Rate and Sprint sets.
Then I would have free time to go out for a coffee, lunch and even a sleep before a ride or another run if I am on a double run day at 4pm.
5. Who is your coach and what is his and yours training philosophy?
For the past 6 years I have been coached through under 19 Australian junior series to u/23 and elite level with coach and mentor Jarrod Evans. Unfortunately Jarrod and I have had to part ways after he now is an Olympic development coach for USA triathlon.
While being in Spain I have been lucky enough to be invited to train with the ‘Woolongong Wizards’ under Jamie Turner as a temporary athlete.
Recently I have joined up with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) as a training partner to the Institute athletes under Danielle Stefano.
Together we have already set out training schedules and a plan of “attack” towards my Olympic campaign.
6. Could you please explain to us what we call “The Australian Sport Culture”?
Growing up in Australia at a young age it is very common to be engaged into a sport. Aussie rules Football was the most common with kids always wanting to play that as it is our national sport. Kids would do more than one sport though and mix up a winter sport being Australian Rules Football to then Athletics in the summer or even Basketball.
Mum did not enjoy contact sports so my brothers and myself would do swimming all year round. With Basketball and Athletics to mix it up.
