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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as athlete dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming during ‘Ironman' race
AN IRONMAN athlete has tragically died after competing in Wales. The athlete began experiencing "difficulty" during the swimming section of the triathlon in Swansea Ironman 70.3. The competitor - who has not been named - received immediate medical care and rushed to hospital. But they tragically died on Wednesday, event organisers have since confirmed. A statement from Ironman Wales read: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. "Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty. "The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. "The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today. "Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. "We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. Most read in The Sun "We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance." Each year, thousands take part in the Welsh triathlon, but this was the UK's first ever Ironman Pro Series event. Competitors start by completing a 1.2-mile swim at the Prince of Wales Dock, followed by a 56-mile bike ride through Mumbles and along the coastal clifftops of Gower, before heading out into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city. They then return to Swansea, preparing for transition in the Maritime Quarter next to the River Tawe. Competitors then tackle a 13.1-mile two-loop run course that leads them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Tragedy as athlete dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming during ‘Ironman' race
They began to struggle during the swimming section RACE HORROR Tragedy as athlete dies after 'getting into difficulty' while swimming during 'Ironman' race Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN IRONMAN athlete has tragically died after competing in Wales. The athlete began experiencing "difficulty" during the swimming section of the triathlon in Swansea Ironman 70.3. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The competitor - who has not been named - received immediate medical care and rushed to hospital. But they tragically died on Wednesday, event organisers have since confirmed. A statement from Ironman Wales read: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. "Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty. "The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. "The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today. "Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. "We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. "We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance." Each year, thousands take part in the Welsh triathlon, but this was the UK's first ever Ironman Pro Series event. Competitors start by completing a 1.2-mile swim at the Prince of Wales Dock, followed by a 56-mile bike ride through Mumbles and along the coastal clifftops of Gower, before heading out into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city. They then return to Swansea, preparing for transition in the Maritime Quarter next to the River Tawe. Competitors then tackle a 13.1-mile two-loop run course that leads them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina
India Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
IIT Madras' Renee Noronha is youngest Indian woman to finish two Ironman races
When she crossed the finish line at the Ironman European Championship in Hamburg, holding the Indian flag high as the words 'You are an Ironman' echoed around her, it was more than a personal victory. For the 18-year-old Data Science student from IIT Madras, it was the realisation of a dream she had chased since the age of 16 — to become the world's youngest Ironman and India's youngest female had no prior experience in swimming or road cycling when I signed up,' she says. 'But I was driven by a passion for challenge and the excitement of pushing beyond my limits.' At just 18 years, 1 month, and 20 days, she achieved her goal, a feat of grit and GYMNASTICS MAT TO IRONMAN FINISH LINEA former artistic gymnast, her transition to triathlons wasn't easy, but it was deliberate. 'Gymnastics gave me a strong foundation of discipline, balance, and mental resilience,' she explains. 'While the sports are very different, the focus and strength carried over and helped me tackle swimming, cycling, and running with confidence.' It's a journey, she says, that brings alive the Ironman slogan: 'Anything is Possible.'IRONMAN TRAINING MEETS IIT MADRAS RIGOUR Managing Ironman-level training alongside the academic rigour of IIT Madras is no small feat. Adding to that, she's simultaneously pursuing a Sports Science diploma at Carshalton College, London. Her secret? 'Intense discipline, structure, and time management. I plan my days carefully—training before or after lectures, using weekends for long rides, runs, and brick sessions. I always aim to stay ahead in coursework to manage both effectively.'She credits her gymnastics background for helping her manage pressure: 'Goal-setting, resilience, and mental toughness are second nature now. They help me stay on top of both academics and training.' 20 HOURS A WEEK OF PEAK DISCIPLINEDuring peak preparation, her schedule is relentless—15 to 20 hours of training spread over six days, starting at 5:15 am. 'Swims, rides, runs, brick workouts, strength or mobility work—each day has a purpose,' she says. Her weekends are booked with long rides and runs. But recovery, she insists, is just as important. 'I prioritise sleep, nutrition, stretching, and mindfulness. Rest days are when I study more intensively to stay balanced.'SHAVING OFF 2.5 HOURS BETWEEN RACESFrom her first Ironman in New Zealand to her most recent in Hamburg, she cut down her timing by over two hours in just 15 months. What changed? 'I became more strategic and data-driven,' she says. 'I tracked every session, focused on strength work, and refined my recovery and nutrition.' Despite battling thunderstorms, lightning, and rain in both races, her discipline paid off. 'With ideal weather, I could have improved by 3.5 to 4 hours,' she believes. Much of this progress, she credits to her coach, Shanker Hamburg threw everything at her — hailstorms, cold winds, and heavy rain, especially during the final 20 km of the cycling segment. 'It was brutal,' she recalls. 'I had to rely on mental resilience, focus on my breath, and just keep moving. Seeing the Indian flag and hearing the crowd kept me going.' LEARNING FROM DOUBT AND SETBACKSThere have been moments of doubt—injuries, burnout, academic pressure. But she's found a way through: 'I break down big goals into small, manageable ones. Tracking my improvements keeps me motivated.' Her support system—family, coaches, friends, and her institution—has been instrumental. 'Patience, persistence, and a positive mindset help me push through setbacks in both sport and studies.'Her mission goes beyond medals and titles. She wants more girls to believe in their potential. 'If you're unsure of your limits, know that your potential is much greater than you think. Start small, celebrate milestones, and stay consistent,' she says. 'Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. No dream is too big, no limit too great.'advertisementWHAT'S NEXT: FROM KONA TO COMRADESHer short-term goals include participating in Ironman races across all continents and qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kona and the Comrades Marathon in South Africa—all before she graduates. Academically, she plans to pursue an integrated PhD in mathematics and quantitative research. 'I want to contribute to both academia and industry through innovation and research.' Eventually, she dreams of setting up an NGO to promote endurance sports amongst women in India. 'I want to help other girls realise they can chase their dreams too. Because true growth begins the moment you decide to try.'- Ends
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
British pair win as Swansea hosts UK's first ever IRONMAN Pro Series edition
There was double success for Great Britain as over 2,000 athletes descended on Swansea to take on a gruelling 70.3-mile pair Harry Palmer and Kat Matthews claimed victories in the professional field of the UK's first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series third edition of the event included a 1.2-mile swim in Prince of Wales Dock, a 56-mile bike course through the coastal roads and countryside of Gower, and a 13.1-mile run along the air temperatures soaring above 28°C, and water temperatures exceeding 24°C, race organisers ruled the professional swim non-wetsuit, as it surpassed the wetsuit-legal limit. It marked the first time elite athletes in the Ironman Pro Series have raced under such conditions in the champion Palmer claimed back-to-back victories in Swansea, taking the overall Pro Series win in a time of 3:51:18. Just 49 seconds separated him from training partner, France's Leon Chevalier as fellow Brit Kieran Lindars claimed third place. "It was hot, and I do feel for all the age-groupers who are out there today, because they've got much harder conditions than we did, so fair play to everyone racing," Palmer told BBC Sport Wales."I didn't have the best swim, I'll be honest. I was in the second or third pack back, so I had some work to do on the bike."I came out [of the swim] with the likes of Will Crudgington, Freddie Webb, Malachi Cashmore, some other boys, and Kristian Høgenhaug, who was one of the guys I was keeping an eye on. "He's an epic rider who likes to get on the front of the bike, so I felt I was in good company."My favourite part is the support."The course is amazing, especially with weather like this, and the Gower is incredible. "But it's the people — it's the Welsh. They just know how to put on an event and how to support. I'll keep coming back to Welsh events because of that." Overall Ironman Pro Series 2024 winner Matthews, claimed victory in Swansea with a time of 4:20:37. Britain's Rebecca Anderbury and Danila Kleiser of Germany completed the podium, finishing second and third in the female professional race respectively."Three years feels like a lifetime. A lot has happened since then," Matthews, who last won in Swansea in 2022, said."I feel like a completely different person, and it felt like a different event this time around."I didn't have as much deficit coming out of the swim as I expected, so I was really motivated to attack at the start of the bike and catch the girls at the front."I was happy to see them quite quickly and pull them back, but then suddenly I was on my own at the front. It was quite nice to feel in control until the run, when I felt a bit hot." Thousands of supporters and volunteers lined the 70-mile course, providing encouragement and welfare support throughout the over half of the age-group field tackling their first IRONMAN 70.3, it was a day to remember for both competitors and their Director Rebecca Sutherland said "It's always great fun when we go racing in Swansea, and this year was no different."It was another incredible race with thousands of athletes crossing the famous red carpet finish line to rapturous spectator support."The race is set to return to the coastal city next summer for the fourth edition of the event.
South Wales Guardian
12-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
World Triathlon embrace need for change with ambitious Olympic dream
During a presentation on 'The Future of World Triathlon', on the eve of the Hamburg World Triathlon Championship Series race, the sport's chiefs came together to discuss how to grow the sport further following the success of the Olympic distance and relay formats at Paris 2024. Their hope comes in the form of the Professional Triathlon Organisation's (PTO) 100km distance. During its first season, the T100 World Triathlon Tour - which consists of a 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run - was watched by more than 50 million viewers and has made significant steps forward in professionalising the sport. It is the latest format in a wave of long-distance triathlon events that are sweeping the globe, with 70.3 and full distance IRONMAN finishers also growing in numbers. In a bid to keep up with mass participation figures, Arimany feels that now is the time to think big. "We are in a unique moment and time for long distance triathlon," he said. "The growth of the T100 event has been special and it has the potential to grow in mass participation and for elite athletes. The early morning rise! Athletes took a ride of the bike course this morning ahead of a late afternoon of racing ⚡️ Tune in for #WTCSHamburg on from 16:45 CEST.#Triathlon "We need to motivate the PTO to keep investing in their T100 Series so we get to a point where we can hopefully bring it to an Olympic Games. "The broadcasting of the event needs to be attractive from a TV and spectator point of view to keep them entertained and I think we can succeed on that. "If we can create a great commercial product, then we can convince the International Olympic Committee and bring an event that offers value to the Olympic programme." Triathlon made its Olympic debut at Sydney 2000 and the mixed relay event was added at Tokyo 2020, with ambitions for a new long-distance event to run alongside those already on the programme. Despite the popularity of 70.3 and full distance IRONMAN events, it is in the 100km format that World Triathlon have put their faith in as the future of the sport. PTO CEO Sam Renouf helped launch the T100 just 18 months ago and is dreaming big with regard to its future. "We're really happy with the progress and particularly the data around mass participation, social media engagement and TV viewership which are all really important to the Olympic movement,' he said. "The T100 distance has become the most popular because it is still long and an endurance event, which is has to be as the definition of a triathlon, but it is short enough to be accessible and sustainable. 🚨 NEWS JUST IN - this is going to be WILD! Wollongong just got even more epic – World Triathlon & T100 are teaming up Down Under! The World Triathlon Championship Finals AND the T100 World Tour (Pro race only) will now take place on the same week (15-19 October) 🤝 Two… "Triathlon is still quite a niche sport and it should be difficult as that is a part of the sport. But as individual sports, nearly a billion people do them, so that market is there. "It's about how we drive that growth and the Olympics is the best possible thing because it will always be the biggest platform for the sport." The T100 Tour also saw over 21,000 amateur athletes take part last year, as well as several celebrity endorsements, including McFly's Harry Judd, who raced the T100 London in 2024. Three-time Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, meanwhile, will both be taking on the standard distance event in London this summer. At the Paris 2024 Olympics last summer, the organising committee introduced a mass participation marathon event 'Marathon Pour Tous', with over 20,000 people running the marathon route the night before the pros took to the stage. It's an opportunity that Arimany believes the IOC could replicate for triathlon at Brisbane 2032 - should the distance be introduced. "We want to do something new because we are in a different moment and time," he added. "The LA Games will bring a new way to watch the sport and participate and so our new era can create a new platform again. "We want to evolve the sport in the 21st century and keep up with social media to engage spectators." The next T100 Triathlon World Tour race is in London on 9-10 August. Visit
