21-07-2025
592 compete in Oceanman Kota Kinabalu
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025
Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: Some of the competitors taking part in the event on Sunday. Kota Kinabalu: Pantai Dalit again became the playground for 592 swimmers from 39 countries, vying to qualify for the Oceanman World Final Championship 2025 in Dubai, UAE, from December 3 to 7. 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.
Advertisement 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 Sunday, 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,' Julinus 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 3 from the Inspiration category, will get a qualification slot for the Oceanman World Final in Oceanman, Half Oceanman and Sprint distances. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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