Willian punches Paris triathlon ticket as Aussies shine

Luke Willian is going to the Paris Olympics, producing the performance of his career to snare third place at the world triathlon series race in Yokohama, Japan.

Fellow Australian Matt Hauser also showed he is on target for the Games after finishing runner-up to American Morgan Pearson.

The two podium finishes are a major boost for Australian triathlon stocks ahead of the Olympics.

Once a powerhouse in the sport, Australia has not won any triathlon medals at the last two Olympics and Tokyo in particular was a major disappointment.

Australia is likely to start two men and two women in the individual Olympic races and they will also compete in the mixed team relay.

In contrast to an outstanding day for Hauser and Willian, the Australian women were well off the pace and their two Olympic berths will come down to selectors' discretion.

Before Saturday, Hauser was the only Australian to confirm a Paris Olympics selection.

To join him, an Australian had to finish in the top eight of the men's or women's races.

After several weeks of encouraging form, Willian produced when it counted to punch his Paris ticket in the Olympic-distance race.

He was bitterly disappointed to narrowly miss Olympic selection three years ago.

"I'm a bit speechless right now. I missed out last time, I was so so close. I missed out on discretionary selection," Willian said.

"So this whole journey has been all about taking my opportunities, creating my own destiny and to do that today with selection on the line is pretty special.

"I really wanted that podium. I didn't want to just qualify, I want to compete and I want strive for the best and pretty special that the other Aussie (Hauser) and guy in front of me is my roommate, yeah it's pretty special."

Pearson won the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run event in one hour 42 minutes five seconds.

Hauser was seven seconds behind and Willian, who led early in the run, was another eight seconds off the pace.

Callum McClusky was 42nd, Brandon Copeland took 46th and Jake Birtwhistle did not finish the bike leg.

Earlier on Saturday, Leonie Periault of France won the women's race in 1:52.28 ahead of American Taylor Knibb, with Emma Lombardi finishing third in another boost for French hopes.

Jaz Hedgeland was the first Australian in 25th place, more than four minutes off the pace.