Filipino triathlete Kira Ellis has chosen to step away from collegiate competition in the United States to focus on her professional ambitions, marking a bold pivot in her young career.
Ellis, who made history as the Philippines’ first NCAA Division I Women’s Triathlon scholar-athlete, has officially left Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina after just one season. The 19-year-old, guided by her longtime coach and mother Doray, shared in an interview with RP2 Sports Radio that the demands of balancing U.S. academics, elite-level training, and the distance from her Asian racing circuit ultimately shaped her decision.
“Being far from my racing base in Asia meant I was always chasing two worlds at once,” Ellis admitted. “Right now, my focus is on becoming the athlete I know I can be.”
Ellis is now charting a different path—training full-time in the Philippines while considering flexible online schooling. Her goal is clear: break into the world triathlon top 100.
The young athlete already has the credentials to back up her ambition. After a breakout junior campaign capped by her victory at the 2024 European Junior Triathlon Cup in Riga, Ellis is now setting her sights on the Asia Triathlon Cup in Japan this September, followed by a high-stakes appearance at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.
For Ellis, leaving the NCAA system isn’t a step back but a recalibration—a move away from balancing textbooks and lecture halls toward a sharper focus on podium finishes and international ranking points.
“This is just the beginning of the next chapter,” she said. “It’s about chasing the bigger picture.”