Portuguese triathlete Vasco Vilaça expressed his joy this Monday (April 27) after winning the gold medal in the first stage of the 2026 Triathlon World Championship in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Vilaça, who finished in 01:43.33, secured his first World Championship win after 10 previous podium finishes. He highlighted the tactical nature of the race and the strong collective performance of the Portuguese national team, which saw four male athletes and Maria Tomé finish in the top 20.