Daphne looks to defend her world title

Belt, 75, will compete in both the sprint and standard events in Chicago in September.

The Littlehampton athlete will go into the race with the 75 to 79 age group crown, after taking top-spot in Edmonton last year.

Belt, who had secured qualification for the standard event earlier in the year, competed at Eton Dorney Lake last month to secure a sprint spot.

On the first day, Belt completed the course in a time of 1hr 46min 56sec, before she finished in a time of 1-44-50 the following day to secure a sprint place in Chicago.

She is now targeting success again and said: “When I won in Edmonton last year, it was my first time competing in the 75 to 79 category.

“This time around, I am not sure what athletes will come into this event, so it may be tricky.

“It’s always great to perform on the world stage and I can’t wait for it to begin now.

“I’m always working hard, so I will not have a special programme for the race. The aim is to win this event once again but it is not going to be easy to do that.”

Belt also took part in a Swimathon event back in April, when the national 5,000m race took place at Billingshurst Leisure Centre.

The Littlehampton triathlete won the 75 to 79 age category in a time of 2hr 5min, which was almost an hour-and-a-half ahead of the runner-up.

Belt said: “It was great to get the win in the Swimathon. To finish over an hour before the second-placed swimmer was fantastic but I just concentrate on my swim while competing and not on other swimmers.”

Belt is again fund-raising for Chestnut Tree House this year, after raising £6,246.07 for the charity last year.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!