Tampa FL— After a successful year of competition, IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holding Company, is proud to announce the overall IRONMAN All World Athlete™ (AWA) Champions for each Age Group category. IRONMAN^® triathlon athletes received the IRONMAN All World Athlete designation in their age groups by competing in multiple events and earning Age Group Ranking points during the 2016 season. Racers were rewarded for their top three performances throughout the year with the combined points determining the champion for each division.
The 31 overall IRONMAN All World Athlete Champions represented ten different countries with 20 champions hailing from the United States (twelve female, eight male). Australia had the second-most champions with three (two female, one male). Other countries represented were Denmark and Germany, both with one female Age Group Champion, and Brazil, Canada, Columbia, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom, each with one male Age Group Champion. The most represented states in the U.S. were California, Colorado, and Illinois, each with four athletes.
Over 24,800 athletes worldwide accrued enough points in 2016 to earn the designation of IRONMAN All World Athlete. The United States led the country standings with 8,256 athletes, followed by Australia (2,047), Germany (1,432), the United Kingdom (1,486), Canada (1,185) and Brazil (718). To earn IRONMAN All World Athlete status, competitors must finish the season within the top 10 percent of their age group with their combined top three races. Athletes that have earned IRONMAN All World Athlete status are then classified into three levels: Bronze (top 10 percent), Silver (top five percent) and Gold (top one percent).
Globally launched in 2013, the Age Group Ranking program offers age-group athletes a way to earn points based on their race finishes and to measure their race performances against their fellow competitors regionally, as well as from around the world, in one cumulative system. Beginning this year, IRONMAN has also added a new designation of All Country Athlete™ which ranks athletes’ yearly performances within their represented countries. Athletes who finish the season in the Top 10% of their country will now be recognized as an IRONMAN All Country Athlete. This allows competitors to see where they stand in comparison to their fellow countrymen and women.
Below are the winners in the overall IRONMAN All World Athlete category which includes performances from IRONMAN, IRONMAN^® 70.3^® and sprint-distance events:

For full results that include champions in all categories (Overall, IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3) and more information, including a list of frequently asked questions about the IRONMAN Age Group Ranking program, go to www.ironman.com/triathlon/organizations/all-world-athlete/agr-and-all-world-athlete.aspx. Inquiries about the program may be directed to agr@ironman.com. For media-related inquiries, contact press@ironman.com.