Queenslander Kelly Phuah first began her triathlon journey when she was living in the United States 12 years ago, and for the last few years has had her sights set on the World Championships in Wollongong.
“I was 40 and temporarily living in the US, a friend suggested a 70.3 as a destination holiday and I laughed,” Phuah said.
“I remember thinking that was a good way to wreck a half marathon but agreed and I signed up to do a 70.3 in Augusta Georgia in the USA.
“I purchased an online training plan and got started and I was completely on my own and clueless.
“I signed up for a couple of little local races so I could learn how to actually do a triathlon.
“Now 12 years on, I can not walk 10m through a race transition without bumping into a friend!
“Since, I shifted careers and became an accredited triathlon and cycling coach and love sharing all the lessons I have learned with my athletes!
“I race for and coach for the Redland Cycling and Multisport Club in sunny Queensland, the most perfect all year training weather location in the world!
“I also belong to the local Redlands Sharks Triathlon club, you will find me working out or drinking coffee with members from both these clubs almost every morning of the week.
“I have a network of international triathlon friends from my time in the US who I love to make jealous with pictures of our perfect training weather and 50m outdoor swimming pools.
“I find triathlon coaches to be a supportive bunch, through Aus Triathlon courses and club networks I have made many coach friends who are happy to take my calls for help and advice.
“My family and I have done a lot of moving both interstate and internationally. Triathlon has been a vital piece of our connection to the local community and the launch pad of most of my friendships.”
After a dozen years in the sport, Kelly is so proud of all her accomplishments and can’t wait to represent Australia in the green and gold in October at the World Championships in Wollongong.
“I have many races under my belt with podiums at all distances, including 3 world championship podiums, several national triathlon age group championship titles and a world aquabike age group championship title,” she said.
“It’s a body of work that I am immensely proud of, but I think one of the most fun experiences was spending four hours on the finish line of the Men’s race at Kona in 2022 with my husband handing out finisher beads! Our cheeks were aching from smiling for hours.
“I have been targeting the World Championships for the last 2 years as both an athlete and a coach, making sure I was all over the qualifying races, getting my athletes ready and sharing in the pride a whole group of athletes who never thought they would be on an Australian Team.
“We have 7 women from our Redlands Club heading to Wollongong and I’m really looking forward to racing fast and mixing it up with the fast girls in Wollongong.”
The 2025 World Triathlon Championships will take place in Wollongong, Australia from 15 – 19 October 2025.
