Search
shop

‘A mix of pride and acceptance’ – Katie Zaferes on comeback display

American star, who won two Olympic medals in Tokyo, gives her reaction to comeback performance at WTCS Abu Dhabi.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Olympic medallist Katie Zaferes reflected on a “great race to learn a lot from” after marking her return to the sport following the birth of her first child, Kimble.

Zaferes, the dominant world champion in 2019 , finished in 37th in the opening WTCS event in Abu Dhabi, which was won in impressive style by Britain’s Beth Potter.

It was a welcome return to the sport for the American who took bronze behind Flora Duffy and Georgia Taylor-Brown at the Tokyo Olympics and followed that with a silver in the Mixed Relay.

Advertisement

‘Somewhere in the middle’

And posting afterwards on her social media channels alongside the photo below taken by her husband Tommy, she said: “37th place for me, and the initial feeling upon completion was disappointment.

Katie Zaferes middle of bike pack 2023 WTCS Abu Dhabi photo credit Tommy Zaferes World Triathlon
[Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon]

“As the time passes I’m starting to feel a mix of pride and acceptance. So I guess this picture is a great depiction of me feeling somewhere in the middle.

“Disappointed as I felt my fitness was in a better place and I didn’t execute in the way I envisioned. Proud to be on the start line after an 18 month hiatus for Kimble. And I really enjoyed being back with these women racing, even if it was quite uncomfortable.

“We’ve got work to do and I’m still working at finding that balance with being a mom and racing. This was a great race to learn a lot from.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 navigation and colour display
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 GPS bike computer review
Best triathlon swim courses – our top 10 triathlons for an epic start to race day
triathlon swimming open water
“Triathletes shouldn’t kick during the swim” and other triathlon swimming myths- BUSTED by an expert swim coach
SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses review
First look at the NEW SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses – TRI247 Review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Pieter Heemeryck IRONMAN Portugal Cascais 2023
Top triathlon star on the way back after being ‘frozen up with fear’ following horror bike crash in New Zealand
Alistair Brownlee Olympic Games Rio 2016
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee remembers his life-changing first big goal
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman 2025 Finish Line
Triathlon superstar Lucy Charles-Barclay reveals her race strategy after stunning IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman win
Sam Long IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman 2025 Finish Line
Sam Long says IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman win was a family affair as they inspired huge win
Olivia Mathias supertri London run 2024 photo credit Darren Wheeler supertri
British triathlon star Olivia Mathias is believing again after first WTCS podium put confidence struggles in the past
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...