Sponsored Athlete - Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith

Hi, my name is Kyle Smith.

I am a 20-year-old triathlete hailing from Taupo and now residing in Cambridge training and racing with the New Zealand Triathlon squad.

Kyle Smith and Rom Akerson swim

I found my love for Triathlon at age 12 when my family and I moved from England. While in England I had previously participated in horse riding and pentathlon, upon arriving in New Zealand I wanted to try something new. I soon realized Taupo was a triathlon enthused town and it was only a matter of time until I would stumble across the sport that has now taken me around the world to incredible places.

After winning a few national titles throughout school, I earnt a spot to race my first ever World Championship for the 16-19 age group. I picked up a silver medal that day in London and I knew from then on I wanted to have international success, moving up from age group racing to elite racing I was named in the triathlon NZ talent squad. A year on I was crowned the U19 Elite Aquathlon world champion in Canada.

KyleSmith

However, it wasn't always exactly straightforward. For two years I battled with on again off again injuries and illnesses that unfortunately led to few international races. After a rough start to my 2017 campaign, I was lucky enough to come away with a 3rd in the pro field at Xterra NZ which was my first attempt at off-road racing. I then travelled to Japan for an Asian championship race gaining 5th place amongst some world-class athletes. Before departing Japan I competed in and won a local race. I carried this form into the ITU elite cross triathlon World Championships in Canada where I crossed the line 3rd overall and was named the U23 World Champion. Another two days later I toed the line again to a 3rd in the Elite U23 Aquathlon World Championships. I then picked up 4th in the Pan American Championships behind the three previous World Champions.

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My goals for the next few seasons are to be successful in the races in which I have previously performed well in. I will be racing ITU World Cups ITU continental cups and hopefully ITU Elite worlds again this year in the Gold Coast. My goal for 2018 and 2019 is to get on the start line of a few WTS races. I aim to be racing for NZ in the Mixed Team Relay format races internationally as well as mixing in the off-road triathlon races alongside non-drafting races. It goes without saying that I will be striving to achieve the best possible finishes for this season and beyond.

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