Army man Saikhom wins Goa Ironman 70.3 triathlon

Panaji, Oct 20 (IANS) Indian Army Hawaldar Bishworjit Singh Saikhom won India's first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, which was held here on Sunday, while in the team section, Delhi's Juggernauts came first.

Saikhom (29), currently posted in Pune with Bombay Sappers, completed the gruelling challenge comprising 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycling and 21 km run in 4 hours 42 minutes and 44 seconds, ahead of the Nihal Baig, an alumni of IIT Bombay, who clocked 4 hours 47 minutes and 47 seconds.

"My performance here gives me the confidence to do well in future triathlon events," Saikhom said after he was formally declared the winner.

Saikhom has now been invited to participate in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, to be held in New Zealand next year.

Swiss athletes Natascha Badman, a six-time world champion, came first in the women's section and was the 7th overall in the endurance race.

In the team event, Delhi's Juggernauts comprising Adit Dahiya (swimming), Yashish Dahiya (cycling) and Pankkaj Dhiman (run) finished first. Dahiya (47) is the Chief Executive Officer of insurance portal Policy Bazaar.

"My last IRONMAN 70.3 was in Dubai in February this year. We have been training as a team for the past six months and I think it paid off as we were almost 20 minutes ahead of the second finisher in the team event," Dahiya said.