ACCOMPLISHED Wagga triathlete Brad Kahlefeldt has had a slight change in career focus as he eyes the world championship in Kona later this year.
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Kahlefeldt will shortly embark on his latest overseas campaign with stopovers in the Phillipines, Phuket and Korea before racing the European season.
Kahlefeldt, the 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, had been competing in the 70.3 circuit but a strong performance in his first ever Ironman in Melbourne has resulted in a change of heart.
Kahlefeldt, 35, finished third in the Melbourne Ironman and it was a result that has almost guaranteed him a start in the Ironman World Championship in Kona in October.
“Post London in 2012 when I switched over to long course I only wanted to focus on 70.3s because as a professional triathlete, trying to make money, there are only so many Ironmans you can do in a year,” Kahlefeldt said.
“A lot only do one Ironman a year.
“In the lead up to Melbourne, it was something different that I thought I would give a go but I really enjoyed it and went alright so now it’s a good opportunity to have a crack at Kona.
“I like to race in the best and it’s one that I never thought I would get to race.”
With triathletes limited to a minimal Ironmans a year, Kahlefeldt will still compete regularly in 70.3 events, particularly in coming months.
Kahlefeldt will race in the Challenge Phillipines next month, then a 70.3 in Korea before racing in “two or three” events in Europe.
He will return to Australia in August to ramp up his training for Kona.
Kahlefeldt is currently ranked 20th in the world Ironman standings and needs to be in the top 50 to get a start.
Kahlefeldt sees his future in the 3.8 kilometre swim, 180km bike and 42km run events.
“With my age and experience these days, it would be silly not to have a proper crack at full Ironmans,” he said.
“The Ironman is a bigger challenge and sponsors and everyone love them, the big crowds and atmosphere.
“That’s why I did Melbourne, to see how I go, and it all went to plan so the decision post-Melbourne was to go full tilt.”
Ideally, Kahlefeldt would love to grab a top 10 finish.
“Hopefully I can finish in the top 10 to 15,” he said.
“Being my first year in the pros, it’s going to be hard to crack it. You need a lot of things to go your way.”
Kahlefeldt is training in Noosa before he leaves for overseas on June 10.
He, and partner Radka Vodickova, both claimed the Olympic-distance Hervey Bay triathlon last week.