Oliver Hayward and Fenella Wightman, two of Bermuda’s brightest prospects, performed with credit at the World Triathlon Age-Group Championships in Torremolinos, Spain, on Thursday.

Hayward, 16, finished eighth of 67 starters in the 16 to 19 male sprint, with Wightman finishing 22nd in the 16 to 19 female sprint, in which there were 45 competitors.

A student at Uppingham School in England, Hayward crossed the finish line in 1hr 5min 44sec, about a minute and a half behind winner Matteo Somma, of the United States, to improve massively on his 49th position at the Americas Triathlon Championships, held in Miami in March.

“It was an incredible experience racing on a world stage,” Hayward told The Royal Gazette.

“Unlike anything I had done before, the swim was tough with choppy conditions, but I managed to come out in twelfth place, putting me in a solid bike pack.

“The bike segment was intense, full of breakaway attempts and attacks, but I held my ground and entered the final transition in fourth place.

“The run was flat and fast, and the energy from the crowd really fuelled me. Crossing the finish line in eighth place was an amazing feeling and it gave me a huge sense of achievement.”

A former Somersfield Academy student, Hayward won an individual bronze at this year’s Carifta Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships held in Barbados. At the same competition, he combined with Zara Bule, Jackson Langley and Ella Shepherd to win silver in the mixed team relay.

In the same race as Hayward was Jamie Bedford, who is listed 53rd on the World Triathlon with a did not finish against his name. However, he finished the race in 1:18:07 and reportedly fell coming out of the swim.

In the adult competition, Kent Richardson finished 53rd in the 65 to 69 male sprint, while Arthur Wightman finished 101st in the 45 to 49 sprint.

Bedford, Hayward and Wightman are now heading home for the Cambridge Beaches Bermuda Triathlon on October 27.