LIIS KAPTEN TO LA28
Liis Kapten is an emerging young triathlete whose rapid rise through the junior ranks has led her to compete with the world’s elite. Her standout results show a steady development year-on-year and consistent top-level performance.
These performances have translated into several podiums and multiple victories on official start lists, marking her out as one of Estonia’s most promising young triathletes.
STARTING MY OLYMPIC JOURNEY
Competing in the Elite class and getting ready to start my qualifying journey on the 18th of May to earn a spot in the LA28 Olympic games.
Lanzarote was not the race I wanted, but the one I needed. While it didn't reflect my trainings, it pointed out many good tactical and technical mistakes to learn from and improve.
WORLD RANKING 178
In my final year in the Junior class, I shifted my focus to competing in the Elite class to gain higher-level experience and earn Olympic qualification points. My first World Cup stage in the Elite class in Hungary resulted in finishing 31st against Olympic-level competitors.
From spring I started training under Gavin Smith, and in September, I moved to Loughborough to train in the largest Olympic training center in the UK, welcoming elite athletes from around the world.
I made Estonian triathlon history in Wollongong, Australia, where I placed 7th: The best result in the history of Estonian triathlon at a major World Triathlon competition.
WORLD RANKING 341
2024 marked one of my biggest leaps yet. Internationally, I reached the podium at nearly every European Junior Cup stage I entered, securing two victories along the way. I claimed both the Estonian and Baltic championship titles in the Elite class, having advanced from the Junior class.
Unfortunately, my debut at the Junior World Championships ended abruptly. Me and my bike got a nice slide on the asphalt. I was devastated, because I wasn't able to show what I'm capable of. But it was just a stop on my journey. My overall progress and results made it an incredibly successful season.
WORLD RANKING 399
The 2023 season proved to be incredibly challenging. Despite a strong start, my season was severely challenged by a long-lasting viral infection caught during my final training camp just before the main season. Often it takes 6-8 months for the primary symptoms to subside, with a full recovery sometimes requiring up to a year. Instead of quitting, my coach and I carefully managed my training and racing to avoid permanent complications.
The early impact of the illness was evident in Italy, where I finished 54th just a week after falling ill. However, I persevered, and my condition and performance improved steadily. While I didn't reach top-ten form at major events, I found my stride in the second half of the season. Battling through such a debilitating illness to ultimately stand on the podium made it a season defined by resilience.
STARTED COMPETING INTERNATIONALLY
2022 was my first year competing more extensively at the European junior level. I gained valuable experience across several events, and although I was not yet fully competitive at major international events, I rose to my first individual podium in Poland, and wrapped up the season with a solid 25th-place finish in France.
LATEST RESULTS
