News & Racing Pete Jacobs and Katie Kelly OAM have been honored with induction into the AusTriathlon Hall of Fame, celebrating his historic triumph in Kona and her pioneering Paralympic gold achievement. This past weekend, two Australian triathlon icons entered an exclusive fraternity. Pete Jacobs, who triumphed at the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, […]
Pete Jacobs and Katie Kelly OAM have been honored with induction into the AusTriathlon Hall of Fame, celebrating his historic triumph in Kona and her pioneering Paralympic gold achievement.
This past weekend, two Australian triathlon icons entered an exclusive fraternity. Pete Jacobs, who triumphed at the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, alongside Katie Kelly OAM, the first-ever gold medalist in Paralympic triathlon from Australia, were celebrated at the AusTriathlon Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which gathered the biggest names in the sport.
Jacobs’ journey to success began on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, where he was just a young man enjoying life with his surf lifesaving friends. He became captivated by triathlon after participating in local events. By age 20, he qualified as an age-group competitor for Ironman Australia, forgoing his landscaping apprenticeship to join the professional circuit in 2004. A decade of perseverance, including numerous challenges with chronic fatigue, led to his dream come true in Kona. His 2012 win marked the end of an extraordinary chapter of Australian excellence, making him one of just four Australian men to triumph in the Ironman race. No Australian has achieved a similar success since.
Kelly’s ascension in triathlon is like a cinematic story. After being diagnosed with Usher syndrome, which impacted her hearing and vision in her mid-20s, she not only adapted but thrived. Partnering with triathlon legend Michellie Jones as her guide in 2015, the duo became an unbeatable team. They went into the 2016 Paralympics undefeated, highlighted by a thrilling comeback win at the Chicago World Championships in 2015. Their collaboration culminated in Rio, where they secured Australia’s inaugural Paralympic triathlon medal, achieving gold. Kelly continued her success, claiming another world title in 2017 in Rotterdam and battling through a stress fracture to earn bronze at the 2018 World Championships on the Gold Coast with guide Holly Grice. She concluded her extraordinary career at the Tokyo Games with guide Briarna Silk.
At the QT Gold Coast gala, both athletes demonstrated that they are more than mere victors. “Since then, no one from Australia has matched it,” Jacobs shared his reflections on his Kona success, while Kelly conveyed the surreal sensation of being alongside the sport’s legends, especially as someone who “never envisioned representing Australia at such a high level.”
Their influence persists beyond their athletic endeavors. Jacobs now imparts his wisdom through performance coaching, aiding others in navigating the endurance sports realm. Kelly’s legacy may extend even further off the field—her Sport Access Foundation has invested over $86,000 in grants supporting young athletes with disabilities in pursuing their sporting aspirations. She is also actively involved with Achieve Australia, Griffith University’s Disability Inclusive Council, and is a co-Patron of the Australian Deaf Games.
