WA’s very own Matt Burton secured 2nd place last Sunday at Busselton’s Ironman, punching his ticket to Kona, Ironman’s world champs.

Despite coming out of the water on the back foot Burton bulldozed the 180km bike leg, clawing back eventual winner Daniel Bækkegård for the start of a long 42km run.

The Dane proved too strong for Burton, but the result wasn’t lost on the West Aussie, setting a new Australian record for a full distance Ironman.

“When it comes together to a degree on a day and I’m just a boy from Swan View I never thought I’d be the quickest Australian over a distance of a sport that’s been going for 50-years plus, so it’s pretty special”, Burton said.