‘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.
Katie Zaferes middle of bike pack 2023 WTCS Abu Dhabi photo credit Tommy Zaferes World Triathlon
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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.

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‘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.  

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