LANGKAWI, Nov 6 — The Ironman Malaysia is all about endurance and the participants of this year’s competition showed they have that in abundance when they never let their spirits be dampened despite having to cycle through flooded roads here today.
The participants had to pedal through several flooded roads with water levels rising as high as their calves following heavy rain since noon.
The race involves three disciplines – swimming (3.8km), cycling (180km) and running (42.2km).
Indonesian Andy Wibowo, 42, who won the men’s category when he completed the course in nine hours, 37 minutes and 58 seconds (9:37:58s), said the heavy rain which caused the roads to be flooded made it difficult for him to cycle faster.
“I managed to save time during the swimming discipline because that is my forte. Cycling discipline is not something I am comfortable with … so, having to cycle on flooded roads was real torture.
“But I managed to get my momentum back in the final discipline of running and that helped me emerge triumphant,” he told reporters here today.
Andy, who is making his Ironman Malaysia debut in Langkawi, said he would definitely return for the Ironman Malaysia 2023 due to the warmth and support of his Malaysian friends and the chance to eat his favourite food – nasi lemak.
Meanwhile, Canada’s April Rice, 41, emerged as the fastest woman in Ironman Malaysia after clocking 10:19:18s.
“I’m from Canada but I live in Singapore, so I’m used to this kind of weather. But I faced some difficulties on the cycling course, where around seven sections were flooded and the water rose almost to my knees. I saw others stop and push their bicycles, but if I had followed them, I think I would have suffered cramps… so, I just prayed and continued,” she said.
Meanwhile, the fastest Malaysian in the men’s category was Shahrom Abdullah, 43, who clocked 10:40:55s.
“The current was fast and that forced me to get down and carry my bicycle for about 100 metres. Despite the floods, it was a memorable moment for me and the other participants,” he added.
— Bernama
