Emotional Non Stanford secures special bronze
BySportsbeat
Published 12/05/2018 at 13:55 GMT
Filling in CVs and plotting a next career move may not be the best preparation for a World Series event but it did not stop Non Stanford securing a superb bronze in Yokohama.
Non Stanford of Wales during the Women's Triathlon on day one of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Southport Broadwater Parklands on April 5, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia
Image credit: Getty Images
Stanford, who finished fourth at the Rio Olympics, has struggled with illness and injury in recent times and admits she was seriously considering retirement from triathlon.
On the eve of the ITU World Triathlon Series event, the former world champion was looking for jobs but in a twist of fate she went out the next morning and got her first medal in two years.
"In all honestly I spent last night Googling job applications and I was reading this morning what I have to do for this particular job, I just didn't expect that today," she said.
"It has been a really tough two years, I have gone through a lot of up and downs.
"This sport can be super cruel and super tough, but it has just taught me that if you stay patient and just keep plugging away you can get back up there really."
Bermuda's Flora Duffy won gold to take the lead in the series race, with USA's Katie Zaferes 33 seconds behind.
Stanford took third, 22 seconds ahead of Australia's Ashleigh Gentle, to end a two-year wait for a medal that she feared wouldn't come. Compatriot Jodie Stimpson came 12th
In the men's race, Spain's Mario Mola romped to victory, finishing 41 seconds ahead of Australia's Jacob Birtwhistle.
Mola's compatriot Fernando Alarza took third, ahead of Canada's Tyler Mislawchuk. Grant Sheldon headed the British charge, finishing 18th, while Thomas Bishop was 24th and Marc Austin 47th.
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