592 swimmers from 39 countries compete in OCEANMAN
KOTA KINABALU (July 21): The breathtaking scenery of Pantai Dalit, Tuaran has made it a fan favourite among holidaymakers looking to enjoy the best of Sabah's tropical paradise.
Yesterday, Pantai Dalit once again became the chosen playground for 592 swimmers from 39 countries, vying to qualify for the OCEANMAN World Final Championship 2025 in Dubai, UAE, from December 3rd to 7th, 2025.
This year's edition of OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu challenged swimmers of all ages and abilities to test their limits against the backdrop of the breathtaking Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu's coastline.
The event featured a range of distances, including the Sprint 2km, 5km, 10km and 500-metre relay race, as well as the OCEANKIDS 500-metre race, catering to swimmers of all levels.
Despite the choppy waves and strong wind conditions on that day, which affected the event's scheduling, the event still proceeded relatively smoothly.
'We wanted all our swimmers to swim and compete under the best sea conditions,' said OCEANMAN Event Director, Azura Zainol Abidin.
'Based on the technical review, we had to decide to change some of the flag timings,' she concluded.
OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu offered a unique and unforgettable experience of swimming in crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush tropical landscapes.
'With such strong international representation, I believe OCEANMAN will help propel Sabah's reputation as a leading sports tourism destination in Malaysia,' said Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffrey Jimit.
'As the host venue for 2024 to 2026, we are excited about the potential this event holds for positioning Sabah as a prime destination for sports tourism. And with the event being held in Tuaran instead of the city centre, we are also excited to be able to highlight rural tourism to all the participants,' he added.
Julinus also remarked that the economic impact of events like OCEANMAN cannot be overstated. Sports tourism is a growing segment that attracts high-spending visitors who not only participate in the event but also explore the surrounding areas. By hosting this prestigious series, STB is positioning Sabah as a destination for active travellers who seek meaningful, adventure-filled experiences.
The OCEANMAN World Series event is the largest open-water event in the world. OCEANMAN Kota Kinabalu 2025 is organised by Tough Gorilla Ventures with support from the Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia and Shangri-la Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu as the co-sponsors.
The top 10 swimmers in every age group, as well as the top three from the Inspiration category, will get a qualification slot for the OCEANMAN World Final in OCEANMAN, Half OCEANMAN, and Sprint distances.
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