Sam Holness
“SUPER” SAM HOLNESS
To mark Autism Awareness Month, we’re celebrating HOKA Athlete Sam ’Super Sam’ Holness, who became the first known athlete with autism to compete at the IRONMAN® 70.3 World Championships in September 2021.
Diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, HOKA athlete Sam Holness has challenged the norm for what is expected of people with autism. Born and raised in South London, Sam’s ultimate goal is to become the world’s first autistic professional triathlete. Last September, he took a major step towards that by competing against the world’s best age-group athletes at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in St. George, Utah. His next step is a sub-3 hour marathon at the Manchester Marathon this Saturday, with an eye on the full Iron distance later this year.
Sam wants to improve the diversity within the triathlon family where there is a lack of people that look like him or are from the neurodiverse community. When asked about being a positive influence in promoting diversity, Sam’s Dad replied, “Sometimes when we go to an event, Sam is the only black competitor, and maybe the only athlete with autism. It doesn’t matter to Sam; on race day he is there to do his best just like the other triathletes, inspiring others.” Through sport, Sam wants to change the perception that is often portrayed of people with autism by encouraging others like him to take up sport and follow his path. Sam is also striving to become the first triathlete with autism to compete at the IRONMAN World Championship that takes place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA.
Ambitious about Autism
To find out more about Sam’s journey follow and his ambassadorship with Ambitious About Austism, follow him on Instagram on @samholnesstri or visit www.samholness.com.
