Moving as a child from Temora and growing up in the country town of Wagga Wagga, Brad Kahlefeldt could have been successful in any sport he played. A talented athlete, he dabbled in athletics, basketball, cricket, soccer and Australian Rules football. The decision to choose only one sport was tough, but running took precedence over the others and Brad competed in his first triathlon aged 14.

Swimming results were letting Brad down so he decided to develop this aspect of his race, putting in 60km week trainings in the pool to improve his results.

Two years of hard work saw him back on track and starting to win some of the biggest junior triathlons around Australia, gaining him selection for the 1998 Triathlon World Championships in Lausanne.

Just as Brad’s career started to take off, it was hampered by setbacks - a snapped chain in a world championship race and the diagnosis of a tibia stress fracture two days before a major competition, forcing 6 months rest from training.

The next few years were not any easier when Brad was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the femoral neck, resulting in 6 months out and in 2001 he was again sidelined with another stress fractured of the tibia.

After all the delays, Brad was finally injury-free and ready to compete in 2002. Motivated to perform well he finished the year the Under 23 World Champion.

Success continued as he made his way through the elite ranks in World Cups and international races, and was part of the Australian Elite Team in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Gold at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games was a career highlight for Brad after the dedication he had shown to return to the sport he loved. He went on to win 10 major races and 4 World Cups in that solitary year.

The focus after the Commonwealth Games shifted to competing at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.  He finished in 16th place and at the end of the year he was ranked number 3 in the world.

In 2009 and 2010, Brad has been extremely competitive as he chases ITU Triathlon victories around the world. With the London 2012 Olympic Games in the near future, Brad is keen to improve his form from Beijing and finish on the podium.