Ultra-Competitive Montana Jonker Overcomes Horrific Injuries To Tackle 2026 World Trifecta Challenge
Montana Jonker’s champion pedigree provides her with the confidence and endurance to tackle the 2026 World Trifecta Championships in Sparta, Greece, on October 30 and November 1.
The challenging event will pit the elite Arcadia athlete against the best in the world, taking the field through mountains, ancient olive groves, the Evrotas River, and past the King Leonidas statue.
“I race in the Elite division of Spartan, and qualified as I placed in the top three across the three Spartan distances of 5km Sprint, 10Km Super and 21km Beast,” Jonker said. “
We are hoping for a podium finish.”
Jonker, the daughter of former top South African rugby player Carlo and Australian ice speed skating star Felicity, is ranked second in the Australian elite women’s division. She finished second in the 5km event in the 2024 edition.
The former Hawkesbury track rider had to rebuild her hand and life after a very nasty fall on her horse.
From being in a place where she could not even hold a fork to being a group fitness trainer and personal trainer, Jonker is out to prove she can test herself against the best.
“It has taken me a little over five years to get to where I am today after the accident,” said Jonker, who is coached by her Dad. “I had five operations, plates, bone shortening, more plates, tendon repairs, etc. My wrist will never be 100%.
My Grip Struggles
“I still don’t have a full range of movement and find different ways to get things done. My grip strength struggles when my wrist is fatigued.
“But I have a lot of willpower, which got me out of a dark hole (after my accident).
“My biggest motivation is proving to myself that I am strong, that I can do hard things, and that I belong competing alongside the elite athletes in this sport.
“I want to keep finding out what I’m capable of and pushing those limits.
“I have only been competing in Spartan for about 2.5 years. I initially just went into open waves, then into competitive age-group waves, and then moved up to the Elite women’s category.
Never Truly Alone
“One of the things I love most about Spartan is that even though you are competing, you are never truly alone. You’re running, tackling obstacles, and pushing yourself physically, but at the same time, everyone out there is encouraging each other.
“The atmosphere is truly special…and of course, who does love doing burpees as a punishment!”
Jonker, who has three younger siblings, Brandon, Vaughan, and Hunter, praised her family for their support. “My family probably has one of the hardest jobs of all – running around the course trying to watch and support me,” Jonker said. “They’ve been incredibly supportive of my journey.”
She is also looking for sponsors to attend the world event. If you can help her, please visit her page: https://gofund.me/7711ceb40
By Lawrence Machado. Previously published in Hills To Hawkesbury Community News.