Katherine Badham from Takapuna Grammar

Katherine Badham is a Year 12 student at Takapuna Grammar School in Auckland. She is one of New Zealand's most promising junior triathlete's. Next month she will travel to Fiji for the Continental Cup and in July she will head to Japan for their nationals before competing with three boys and three girls for the New Zealand ellite team at the World Junior Championships in Chicago. Katherine lived in England until she was six, but has forged a strong reputation as a proud and successful Kiwi.

 
How did you get into triathlon?

I started three years ago after giving up rep gymnastics and hockey. My family are all fit so they have encouraged to play sport. In year nine I won a national dualthon title and that really helped my confidence.

I understand running is your strongest suite?

I have won the girls cross country at school and several Auckland titles for my club, Horsley. I take part in an Auckland teams' running Grand Prix series and our team has won the first two races. There are five in the series. I enjoy cycling to, but I have a lot of work to do on my swimming. I haven't really done a lot of swimming before so that has been a real challenge?

Tell us about your international success?

Last year in Adelaide I won the under-19 Australia duathion title and finished third in the open event. In January this year I was seventh in the Under-19  Oceania Championships triathlon championships and our team finished second in the same event.     

How do you keep on top of your school work?

It's tough, but the school is really supportive as are tri New Zealand who pay to get to most event and allow us time to complete our studies.

Other Notable Achievements

1st - AKSS Triathlon champs, Intermediate Girls
1st - AKSS Team Tag Triathlon, Senior Girls (team event)
1st - AKSS Duathlon champs, Intermediate Girls
1st - Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon sprint distance, 16-19 years female category
1st - NHSS 1500m, Intermediate Girls
3rd - NHSS 800m, Intermediate Girls
4th - Greater Auckland secondary schools 1500m, Intermediate Girls
1st - NHSS Cross Country champs, Intermediate Girls
2nd - AKSS Cycling Senior Girls TTT # 1 (team event)

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