Latest news with #Ironman70.3Triathlon
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Goa seeks some inspiration from Spanish town known for its beach sports
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the state will promote itself as Asia's hub for 'beach and coastal sports tourism' along the lines of the Spanish municipality, Tarifa, which is one of the world's most popular destinations for windsports. 'With the right investments and partnerships, Goa can emerge as Asia's leading hub for beach and coastal sports tourism, attracting participants and visitors from across the globe, much like Tarifa has done for Europe,' Khaunte said. The minister said Tarifa, which lies at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and is known for its windy beaches, has transformed itself into the 'wind capital of Europe' through kitesurfing and windsurfing. He said this shows how targeted positioning can help attract 'quality' tourists and create a thriving sports economy. 'Goa is uniquely positioned to become a premier beach sports destination. With over 100 km of pristine coastline, favourable marine conditions and a globally recognised tourism brand, our state offers ideal conditions for beach and water-based sports, such as volleyball, football, windsurfing, sailing, regattas, surfing, kiteboarding and beach cricket. The year-round pleasant climate, scenic beaches like Morjim, Arambol, Calangute and Colva and robust hospitality infrastructure enable hosting high-profile events across multiple seasons,' Khaunte said. He was responding to a calling attention motion moved by MGP MLA Jit Arolkar in the Assembly on Friday. Arolkar said there was an urgent need to position Goa 'not just as a tourist state, but also as a beach sports destination'. 'Countries like Australia, Brazil and Thailand have successfully promoted beach sports like volleyball, surfing, beach cricket, and kiteboarding to attract quality tourists and extend the tourist season. I urge the government to aggressively position Goa as a beach sports tourist destination by identifying beaches like Morjim, Arambol, Calangute, Colva and others and create the best infrastructure to host national and international beach sports events,' Arolkar said. Khaunte said the state has a proven track record of hosting global sporting events, citing the successful hosting of Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, the Rainforest Challenge, Beach Volleyball World Tour, and the World Table Tennis Star Contender. 'These events are not just competitions. They stimulate high-value tourism, generate employment, benefit allied sectors and strengthen brand Goa on the global map,' the minister said. Khaunte said the Tourism department envisions expanding coastal sports tourism through developing flagship sailing and regatta events, leveraging Goa's natural marine advantages, establishing dedicated beach sports infrastructure at identified locations, partnering with national and international sporting bodies for recurring events in disciplines like beach volleyball, windsurfing, and kiteboarding and curating integrated sports and leisure festivals to enhance spectator engagement and extend tourist stays. 'Positioning Goa as a premier beach sports tourism hub will require joint and coordinated efforts between the department of Tourism, department of Sports and other line departments to align infrastructure, event promotion, and talent development,' he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Goa to emerge as Asia's leading beach sports hub: Khaunte
Porvorim: Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte assured the House that the state will position itself as Asia's premier destination for beach and coastal sports tourism, following the success of international events already hosted in the state. Responding to a calling attention motion moved by Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, Khaunte highlighted Goa's proven track record in delivering world-class sporting experiences. The state successfully hosted prestigious events, including the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, Rainforest Challenge, World Table Tennis Star Contender, and Beach Volleyball World Tour – Goa Challenge. 'These events are not just competitions; they stimulate high-value tourism, generate employment, benefit allied sectors, and strengthen Brand Goa on the global map,' Khaunte stated in his reply. He cited the Spanish town of Tarifa as an inspiration. Tarifa successfully repositioned itself as the 'wind capital of Europe' through strategic promotion of kitesurfing and windsurfing, showing how targeted positioning can attract quality tourists, extend tourist seasons, and create a thriving sports economy. Khaunte announced plans to develop flagship sailing and regatta events, establish beach sports infrastructure at identified locations, and partner with national and international sporting bodies for recurring events. The initiative will involve coordinated efforts between the department of tourism, department of sports, and other line departments to align infrastructure development, event promotion, and talent development, Khaunte said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Gulf Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
I've never thrived on external validation: Saiyami Kher
Saiyami Kher has completed her second Ironman 70.3 Triathlon and has become the only Indian actor to have commenced the race twice within a year. She completed it on July 6, 2025, in Jönköping, Sweden. The Ironman 70.3, is one of the most grueling endurance challenges in the world, testing athletes across 1.9 km of open water swimming, 90 km of cycling, and a 21.1 km half marathon run all within a single day. 'People often ask why I put myself through this kind of torture. The truth is, it's not about proving anything to the world. I've never thrived on external validation. For me, endurance sport is deeply personal — it's a race against my own doubts.' 'This year, my only goal was to be better than I was last year. And I did just that,' said Saiyami in a heartfelt post after the race. She added: 'As a woman it's additionally a big pain to do such a physically challenging activity with your period but it's just a reminder that it's always mind over matter. There's a strange, quiet pride in finishing something that once felt impossible. A deep joy.' As per a statement, Saiyami had earlier completed her first Ironman 70.3 in September 2024, marking her debut in the international endurance racing circuit. Her second race in Sweden was the European championship and came with additional challenges including cold waters, relentless hills, strong headwinds. Saiyami managed to finish 32 minutes faster than her previous race. On the work front, the actress has 'Special Ops 2,' which stars Kay Kay Menon, Vinay Pathak, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Karan Tacker, Arif Zakaria amongst other actors. The show will start streaming from July 11. Special Ops, which was first released in 2020, is an action espionage thriller series directed by Neeraj Pandey. It stars Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh, a member of Research and Analysis Wing, forms a team of five agents, in order to track down a person, who is the mastermind of the terror attacks which took place in India. The actress was recently seen in 'Jaat' starring Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, the film also stars Regina Cassandra in lead roles alongside Jagapathi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Vineet Kumar Singh, Prashant Bajaj, Zarina Wahab, P. Ravi Shankar and Babloo Prithiveeraj. Saiyami made her debut with the 2015 Telugu film 'Rey' and appeared in Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's Punjabi folklore 'Mirza Sahiban' based Hindi film 'Mirzya' opposite Harshvardhan Kapoor in the following year. Meanwhile, Saiyami has opened up about returning to the sets of 'Special Ops Season 2' after five years, describing it as a deeply nostalgic and enriching experience. Stepping back into a world she once called home, the actress shared how reconnecting with familiar faces and revisiting her character brought a rush of memories and emotions. Reflecting on the experience, Saiyami shared, 'Returning to the sets of Special Ops after five years was deeply nostalgic. It brought back a flood of memories from the intensity of the scenes to the camaraderie we shared as a team.' 'Collaborating again with Neeraj Pandey sir and Kay Kay Menon continues to be a valuable learning experience. Both of them bring so much depth and vision to the storytelling, it pushes you to give your best every single time.' The upcoming new season brings together a dynamic mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Returning to reprise their roles are Kay Kay Menon, Karan Tacker, Vinay Pathak, Meher Vij, Muzammil Ibrahim, and Saiyami Kher. Joining the cast this time are actors Tahir Raj Bhasin and Prakash Raj. Saiyami was last seen in 'Agni' alongside Pratik Gandhi. The actress is also gearing up for her Malayalam film debut, where she stars opposite acclaimed actor Roshan Mathew. Indo-Asian News Service
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Saiyami Kher Becomes First Indian Actor To Complete Ironman 70.3 Twice In A Year: How She Did It
Saiyami Kher, best known for her performances in films like Ghoomer and Jaat, has now made headlines for her remarkable achievement in the world of sports. The actress completed the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon for the second time on July 6 in Jonkoping, Sweden. With this, Saiyami became the first Indian actor to conquer the prestigious Ironman 70.3 triathlon not once, but twice in the same year. She completed her first Ironman 70.3 in September 2024 in Berlin, marking her debut in the international endurance racing circuit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saiyami Kher (@saiyami) Saiyami Kher On How She Prepared For Ironman 70.3 Triathlon The Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of the long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation. "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles covered by the athletes, including 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling, and a 21.1 km half-marathon, all in one day. Saiyami Kher revealed how she prepped for one of the hardest triathlons in the world in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. The actress said, "The training is quite intense for six months, [where you train] for six days a week. There are three sessions each of swimming, cycling, and running, and one for general training, which means ten sessions a week. Every month is broken down scientifically and if you're consistent, anyone can do it. It is just about putting in effort every single day." When asked about her motivation behind participating in the triathlons, Saiyami said, "You need to have a strong 'why' for participating in Ironman. I work in an industry that can get pretty demanding and tough. For me, it's a way to deal with things that I find unfair." She added, "Whatever unhappiness I have towards things not working out in my profession is the reason why I do endurance sports. It keeps me sane. The race is actually just a celebration of what you have done for six months, the intense training which people don't see, and everything you have overcome, which is so personal." Saiyami Kher's passion for sports extends beyond her impressive achievements. As a strong advocate for fitness and mental resilience, she credits sports with transforming her life's perspective. By pushing boundaries and defying expectations, Saiyami's journey from acting to endurance racing inspires women and motivates others to tap into their own potential.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Saiyami Kher finishes grueling Half Ironman triathlon while on her period: ‘People ask why I put myself through torture'
Actor and fitness enthusiast Saiyami Kher has added another feather to her hat. Over the weekend, she completed her second Ironman 70.3 triathlon (also known as the Half Ironman), one of the toughest endurance races in the world. Not only did Saiyami better her own best time by 32 minutes, but she braved the cold waters and winds of Sweden this time around. Saiyami Kher finished her second Ironman 70.3 in Sweden. Saiyami Kher finishes second Ironman 70.3 Saiyami successfully finished the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon held in Sweden's Jönköping on 6 July. This was her second Half Ironman finish after her debut in the race last September. Saiyami battled the local weather, including cold waters, relentless hills, and strong headwinds, and still managed to better her time by 32 minutes. The Ironman 70.3, is one of the most grueling endurance challenges in the world. It involves the contestant finishing 1.9 km swim in open waters, followed by 90 km of cycling, and a half-marathon run (21.1 km), all in one day. 'People often ask why I put myself through this kind of torture. The truth is, it's not about proving anything to the world. I've never thrived on external validation. For me, endurance sport is deeply personal — it's a race against my own doubts. This year, my only goal was to be better than I was last year. And I did just that,' said Saiyami in a heartfelt post after the race. Saiyami on competing during her period Saiyami completed this race while on period, posing an additional challenge for her physically. In her Instagram post, Saiyami wrote, 'When I first arrived in Jönköping, I was overwhelmed. The cold, choppy swim. The relentless bike hills. My periods kicking in. And then, a thunderstorm warning. Every part of me wanted to crawl back into the comforts of the soft hotel bed.' Addressing that, the actor added, 'As a woman, it's additionally a big pain to do such a physically challenging activity with your period, but it's just a reminder that it's always mind over matter. There's a strange, quiet pride in finishing something that once felt impossible. A deep joy.' Saiyami was last on the big screen in Sunny Deol-starrer Jaat. The film grossed over ₹118 crore worldwide and was a moderate success. The actor played a police officer in the film. Jaat's sequel has been greenlit, but it remains to be seen if Saiyami will return for it or not.
