Geoff now hopes to be competing in a lead-up race to the Olympic star later this year after qualifying in his age category for the Sprint Distance World Championships.

Brad, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist who competed at the Beijing Games last year, is expected to be a contender in the open World Championships on the same program at the Gold Coast on September 12 and 13.

“I hadn’t done any triathlons since travelling overseas in 2004 but watching Brad at the Olympics got me going again,” Geoff said.

“It would be great to compete at the same venue and on the same weekend as Brad.”

Geoff watched Kahlefeldt emerge from a raw young teenager to a triathlon superstar when they were both members of Wagga’s Triants club.

“Brad was not a strong swimmer early on but, to his credit, he worked really hard to get to where he is today,” he said.

Geoff and fellow Triant Neil Measday will be in action on the Gold Coast, while Petrina Quinn is on the reserves list for the Olympic distance.

Neil has been in flying form and qualified for the Olympic Distance World Championship in the 50 to 54 years bracket.

It has been a steep transition for Geoff, who made his comeback in the Wagga Trail Marathon last August.

“I was only slow in my first event back but I have been building up my fitness with the World Championships in mind,” he said.

Geoff is headed for the world titles after competing in qualifying races in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Devonport.

Neil cemented a spot at the Gold Coast event with solid performances in Sydney, Canberra and Hobart qualifiers. He continued his outstanding form with a record-breaking win in the 50 to 59 years age group in the

11-kilometre Nail Can Hill run at Albury.

Brad has also shown he is a force to be reckoned with this year with a photo-finish second in the opening event of the eight-race World Championship series in South Korea.