Gateshead triathlete Kate wins world title in Qatar

KATE WAUGH defied her own doubts to cap a ‘dream’ season with the T100 Triathlon world title.

- By JAMES REID

The Gateshead star went into the race knowing victory would guarantee a maiden global crown and delivered despite the pressure, shaking off compatriots Lucy Charles-Barclay and Jess Learmonth to power home.

The 26-year-old only made her debut over the 100km distance at the start of the year but quickly became one of the front-runners following victory on debut in Singapore.

Five-successive podiums to send her to the final in Qatar as the front-runner and the North East native duly delivered with an assured performance, despite her own belief wavering at times amidst sweltering conditions.

"I can’t believe it," she said. "It has been a dream year. I knew wherever I finished, first or last, the season I have had I am so proud of.