The Final Female-Only Kona Championship: 5 Champions Ready to Make History
The 2025 Ironman World Championship in Kona is not just another race; it marks the end of an era. This will be the last female-only championship before men and women compete together starting in 2026. This historic moment arrives with perfect timing, as one of the deepest and most competitive women's fields in recent memory prepares to battle for triathlon's most coveted title on the legendary Big Island.
With 59 qualified female pros potentially toeing the start line—more than the 53 male pros who raced in Nice this year—the depth of talent is unprecedented. Three past world champions, multiple top-10 finishers, and fearless rookies ready to shake up established hierarchies all converge on Kailua Bay for what promises to be an unforgettable championship showdown.
Drawing on expert analysis from Trirating.com's Thorsten Radde, who has been dissecting triathlon results and providing pre-race insights since 2014, this comprehensive preview breaks down the championship favorites, analyzes the strategic dynamics that will shape the race, and identifies the dark horse athletes who could completely rewrite the podium predictions.
The Championship Landscape: Setting the Stage for History
This year's race carries emotional weight beyond the typical world championship stakes. As the final female-only Kona championship, it represents the culmination of decades of women's professional triathlon evolution. The athletes racing on October 11, 2025, understand they're competing for a place in history that can never be replicated.
The field's unprecedented depth reflects how women's triathlon has evolved. "With only very few exceptions, the winner has typically been a former podium finisher at the world championship," notes Radde, highlighting how this year's contenders have methodically built their championship credentials through consistent elite performances.
The numbers tell the story: while previous years might have featured 2-3 legitimate title contenders, this year presents at least five athletes with realistic championship aspirations, backed by another five dark horses capable of podium-disrupting performances.
The Big Five: Championship Favorites
Laura Philipp - The Methodical Champion (30% odds)
Strengths: Record-breaking marathon speed, systematic race execution
2025 Season: Perfect 3-0 record including victories over key rivals
Key Challenge: History of difficult title defenses
At 38, Germany's Laura Philipp enters Kona as the defending world champion and betting favorite after her masterful performance in Nice 2024. Her victory there showcased the methodical approach that has defined her career: erasing a swim deficit through calculated aggression on the bike climbs, then delivering the fastest-ever female world championship marathon of 2:44:59.
Philipp's 2025 season reflects championship-level preparation. Racing just three times, she's claimed victories at 70.3 Kraichgau, Ironman Hamburg, and Challenge Roth. The Hamburg victory proved particularly significant, as she overcame a 30-second deficit to Kat Matthews at the 35K mark, ultimately running a stunning 2:38 marathon to defeat one of her primary Kona rivals.
However, history works against Philipp. The last successful Ironman world title defense came in 2018 when Daniela Ryf retained her crown. Since then, defending champions have struggled to repeat, with third place being the best follow-up performance.
The race dynamics in Kona may also create challenges. With strong swimmers like Lucy Charles-Barclay and Taylor Knibb likely to establish early leads, Philipp could face a six-minute deficit heading onto the bike. "Can she ride well enough so she can still win the race with her run?" Radde questions, noting that other athletes will refuse to work with Philipp, knowing her devastating run speed.
Kat Matthews - The Consistent Powerhouse (25% odds)
Strengths: Most consistent performer across disciplines, proven bike-run combination
Track Record: Ironman Pro Series winner, dual world championship silver medalist
Concern: Recent head-to-head losses to Philipp in run duels
Britain's Kat Matthews represents perhaps the most complete athlete in the field. At 34, she's built an impressive resume through relentless consistency, winning last year's Ironman Pro Series with three victories and two runner-up finishes. Her quiet determination and methodical race execution have delivered world championship silver medals in both St. George 2022 and Nice 2024.
Matthews excels through balanced excellence across all three disciplines. At this year's Ironman Pro Series 70.3 Zell am See, she trailed the swim leader by just 10 seconds, then posted the fastest bike and run splits to win by nearly four minutes. Her tactical awareness shone at Ironman Texas, where she overcame Taylor Knibb's seven-and-a-half-minute lead through a powerful bike finish and blistering opening 9 miles on the run.
The challenge for Matthews lies in her recent head-to-head duels with Philipp. In both Nice and Hamburg, Matthews couldn't match Philipp's closing run speed, raising questions about her ability to execute a winning strategy against the defending champion. "Can she execute a more promising race plan for Kona?" becomes the crucial question for the British athlete.
Lucy Charles-Barclay - The Kona Specialist (15% odds)
Strengths: Best swimmer in full-distance triathlon, proven Kona winner
2025 Form: Three T100 victories showing improved run fitness
Question Mark: Limited full-distance racing over past two years
Lucy Charles-Barclay carries the distinction of being the last athlete to win in Kona, claiming the 2023 title after years of near-misses. Her victory came through a masterpiece performance: leading after the swim, posting the day's fastest bike split, and running 2:57 despite a torn calf.
The 32-year-old Brit continues to dominate the swim, regularly building 2-3 minute leads that force others to chase. After missing Nice 2024 due to injury concerns, she validated her Kona slot with a commanding 20-minute victory at
