5 days ago
Premier open-water swimming event back to Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The world's premier open-water swimming endurance event will see twice the number of participants when it returns to Sabah for the second time this weekend.
Dubbed Oceanman Kota Kinabalu, the competition will take place on Sunday at Pantai Dalit in Tuaran near here.
In its first chapter last year, Oceanman Kota Kinabalu welcomed 200 participants.
This year, the competition is welcoming 592 participating swimmers from 39 countries — a whopping 196 per cent increase.
The event will feature a range of distances, including the Sprint 2km, 5km, 10km 500-metre relay race, as well as the Oceankids 500-metre race, catering to swimmers of all levels.
Oceanman has also proven to be an inclusive sporting event — welcoming participants as young as 7 years old and as old as 70.
It also has the Inspiration Category for swimmers with disabilities.
The event director, Azura Zainol Abidin, said they were thrilled to bring Oceanman again to Sabah after last year's successful event.
"Kota Kinabalu offers an incredible setting for this world-class event, and we are confident that it will be a resounding success yet again," he said in a statement.
Race director Amirizal Ishak said they were organising an exciting, enjoyable open-water swimming series for swimmers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
"This event is perfect for a 'swimcation' with the whole family. The support from Tourism Malaysia and the Sabah Tourism Board will be instrumental in making Oceanman a mainstay Sabah event."
