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Commonwealth Games champion Brad Kahlefeldt retires from triathlon

Australia's Brad Kahlefeldt - aka 'Sticksy' - the 2006 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist has announced his retirement. Check out some of his iconic sprint finishes
Chief Correspondent
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‘Sticksy’ calls it a day at 38

One of Australia’s most consistently successful triathletes over the past two decades, Brad Kahlefeldt, has today announced his retirement from professional triathlon.

The ITU Under-23 World Champion in 2002 (Cancun) and three times a World Championship Bronze medallist (2005, 2007 and 2010), Kahlefeldt’s career highlight was arguably winning the Commonwealth Games Gold medal on home soil in Melbourne in 2006.

He is also a two-time Olympian, racing in Beijing (2008 – 16th) and London (2012 – 32nd), and won a host of ITU World Cup events during his career too.

Speaking to Matt Malone of The Daily Advertiser, Brad commented:

“It’s hard to know what to say but after 20 years racing professionally its time to retire from the sport I love and a sport that has given me so much,” Kahlefeldt said.

“The decision hasn’t been easy but its time to move on to a new chapter in my life.”

He likes a sprint finish…

One of Brad’s contributions to my memories of his racing is his apparent ability to be involved in some of the best sprints and closest finishes we’ve ever seen. Here are just three memorable ones – alas, when the dust had settled, he was a very close second in each of these… but he won his fair share too!

Tiszaujvaros ITU Triathlon World Cup

Brag Kahlefeldt

Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series Tongyeong 2009

(Sprint from 5mins in…)

Brad Kahlefeldt Tongyeong 2009
Delly Carr / Sportshoot

Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup 2009

Brad Kahlefeldt
Photo: Delly Carr
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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