John Newsom will carry an extra trophy in his bag as he sets off globe-trotting again. The 23-year-old Kiwi ended his eight-month stay in the SAR with victory in the Hong Kong International Triathlon Championships yesterday. Newsom, who outlasted compatriot and defending champion Stephen Sheldrake, is based in France but spends several months each year travelling the world, funding his lifestyle with prize money from competitions. 'I don't take part in World Cups because I couldn't win enough money from them. I haven't reached that level yet. My swimming still needs to be improve,' he said. He does not bother staying home and training in New Zealand because his comparatively low ranking in one of the world's leading triathlon nations would make it difficult to receive adequate financial support. 'We can send three competitors to the Sydney Olympics and they're all capable of winning a medal,' he said of the high standard in his homeland. Ironically, the Hong Kong event did not offer prize money, but Newsom was using it as a final warmup for a race in Phuket, Thailand, in two weeks. 'The winner will receive US$3,000, but I'm hoping to finish in the top five,' he said. After Phuket it will be back to Christchurch to visit his family. Yesterday's victory was particularly sweet for Newsom after he finished second to Sheldrake in the event 12 months ago. He completed the 1.5-kilometre swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run in two hours, one minute and 20 seconds, almost three minutes ahead of Sheldrake. The pair have been in Hong Kong since March doing part-time coaching for the national junior team. Hong Kong's Daniel Lee Chi-wo was fifth behind Japanese duo Yuki Yamamoto and Shingo Yoshikoshi.