Kira Ellis could only be grateful with the support she has been receiving from her mom.

Thanks to an endless flow of love and guidance, Ellis has been reaching new heights in her promising career as a triathlete.

Ellis proudly waved the flag in Latvia after winning the gold medal in the Junior Women category of the 2025 Europe Triathlon Cup in Riga last weekend.

Doray, who is also serving as her coach, was there to witness her daughter conquer the 16-woman field.

“Dealing with an injury, it’s a lot of a mental battle more than physical, I think the reason why it was a very sweet moment, she has to deal with it with me (Doray), she knows what I feel,” said Ellis during an interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2 Sports

“Just being more mentally tough in that way… also I don’t like saying the injury was worth it because I don’t like getting injured, I wouldn’t wish anyone to get injured,” she added.

Kira also shared that she learned a lot during her recovery, noting that it helped her shape and improve her mentality as she prepares to jump into the elite class.

“Me sitting back from triathlon for a few months, just to have a look of an overview of how I approached races mentally, like I tend to overstress myself,” Kira continued. “Here again I’m happy I approach it very calmly and I think clearly, so mentally, there’s a big change, training as well, I was more relaxed, listening to my body, and just following my coach.”

It was a fitting present for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games mixed relay champion who just celebrated her 19th birthday last Wednesday, Aug. 20.

“I hope it stays that way (being healthy)… it’s such a nice feeling,” said Ellis. “This is the first time I have had an injury like this… that’s why it was prolonged.”

Kira was sidelined for six months after suffering a shin splint (medial tibial stress syndrome) before plunging into a training camp in Portugal ahead of the Latvia junior meet.

She is hoping to enter the Top 100 of the world rankings – a feat almost reached by accomplished Filipina triathlete Kim Mangrobang, who once held the No. 104 spot in the global list.

“I think I need to be in the top 100 in the world. I know I still have a lot of catching up to do but I love the challenge,” she added.

With Kira getting closer to moving on from the junior ranks, Doray, a seasoned triathlete and world-class coach herself, tipped her hat to Kira as her recent achievement not only made their family stronger but also bolster their preparations for bigger competitions.

“Obviously, Kira is still young ‘yong transition to junior to elite is really hard, because that’s the stage where they’re mentally unstable still, they look like adults na, actually they’re not… ito talaga ‘yong kailangan nila ng guidance and all,” said Doray.

For now, Kira is enjoying a well-deserved break before she returns in action for this year’s Asia Triathlon Cup in Gamagori, Japan next month and Asia Triathlon Junior & U23 Championships in Aqaba, Jordan late October.