Latest news with #triathlon
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Running, swimming are ‘meditative' for Hong Kong triathlete and open-water swim organiser
Sophia Lai Chi-lok is among Hong Kong's most accomplished amateur triathletes. The 41-year-old investment banker has trained with the Hong Kong Triathlon National Squad and made the podium at 10km (6.2-mile) running races, triathlons and aquathlons – which comprise a swim and a run. She was the second woman across the finish line in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 10km race in 2022, and the 2023 Hong Kong Aquathlon Championship women's champion. That year, she also took part in the Asia Triathlon Cup Hong Kong, and was the top woman overall in the sprint event. Many of the people she competes against are half her age. Petite at just 1.51 metres (4ft 11in), Lai's sports career only took off in 2014, when she was in her early thirties and working in Hong Kong; an evening of drinking games with friends in nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong was the unlikely catalyst for it. They made a friendly wager: at the end of the evening, whoever had lost the most games would have to take part in an athletic competition. Lai was the loser, and signed up for her first aquathlon, at Kowloon Tsai Park. To her surprise, even though she did not specifically train for it, she finished as the top female overall.
The National
3 days ago
- Climate
- The National
Best photos of May 30: From fishermen in Gaza to a triathlon in Seoul
A competitor and his partner take part in a triathlon in Seoul, South Korea. EPA Rubble and debris lies at the site of Russian strikes on Myrnohrad, eastern Ukraine. Reuters Smoke rises from the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, 10km south-west of Kelly Lake in Canada. Reuters Competitors take part in a race during the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan. EPA A ceremonial king covered in flowers leads a procession for Castleton Garland, a centuries-old tradition in Derbyshire, England. PA A man rests in an alleyway in the ninth century medina in Fes, Morocco. AFP Pipes are cleaned inside a cooling tower at an ice factory in Karachi, Pakistan. AFP
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Sports fans across the world mourn Aussie cult triathlon hero Jay Luke following his sudden death soon after posting heartwarming last Instagram message
Triathletes around the globe are in mourning following the sudden death of iconic Australian commentator Jay Luke. Described in one online tribute as a 'one-of-a-kind-person', Luke was a hugely popular figure on the triathlon circuit in several countries. He was best known for cheering on competitors of all standards with gusto as they crossed the finish line. It is believed Luke - whose Instagram handle was 'bondibadboy' - was based in Sydney 's east at the time of his death. 'Jay was the life and soul (of the sport) and made race day very special for so many,' said one athlete, following the sad news shared by Ironman UK. In a Facebook post, the organisation said: 'It breaks our hearts to share the devastating news that a dear member of our IRONMAN UK family has passed away. Described in one online tribute as a 'one-of-a-kind-person', Luke was a huge popular figure on the triathlon circuit 'Jay Luke, who has called thousands of athletes across the line during their IRONMAN journey over the past nine years, was part of the fabric of our team. 'His presence, humour and unwavering support were felt by everyone lucky enough to know him. 'From the jokes, laughs, coffee missions and unmatched travelling cap collection to his infectious energy on the finish line, his absence leaves a huge hole in our hearts. 'We are heartbroken, and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife, family, friends and all who loved him. 'Rest in peace, Jay — it won't be the same without you.' Another posted: 'Jay was amazing, truly a one-of-a-kind person, events won't be the same without him.' Fellow announcer Paul Kaye described Jay's death as 'tragic, devastating news' and added the 'triathlon family has lost one of its own.' In a statement, NSW Triathlon said the sport had 'lost one of its finest.' 'We are heartbroken to share the devastating news of the passing of Jay Luke,' the statement read. 'He brought unmatched energy, quick wit and a deeply genuine spirit to every finish line he called. 'More than just a voice, Jay was a true pillar of our community. His humour, kindness, and unwavering support lifted everyone around him — whether on the mic, out on a group ride or behind the scenes. 'He made every event brighter, every athlete feel seen, and every moment more memorable. 'This loss cuts deeply. Words fall short, but his spirit will continue to echo in everything we do.' Luke's last Instagram post, made a week ago, featured a photo he took looking out the window of his flight to the UK to cover an event. 'Goooood morning England! The Eagle has Landed!' he wrote in the caption. 'The Man on The Mic is BACK for some Super Summer Announcing Adventures.'
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Triathlon set for $65m boost as events organiser looks to expand in Middle East
An organiser of international triathlon events is looking for investors to expand the sport in the Middle East. Supertri has been running successful competitions in Neom, Saudi Arabia, and believes there is strong potential for triathlon to take off in the region. At Olympic level, triathlon involves a 1.5km swim, cycling 40km and then running 10km, and in the lronman event competitors swim 3.8km, cycle 180km and run the marathon distance of 42.2km. But shorter versions of the event have been introduced in recent years in a bid to popularise the sport. Supertri combines an elite league featuring British Olympic champions Alistair and Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee, as well as France's Cassandre Beaugrand, with entry level mass-participation events. There are currently two Middle East-based professional teams competing in the event, Bahrain Victorious and Crown Racing. The organisation is now in talks to raise $65 million to acquire up to 50 additional events in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Half of that money is understood to already be assured with the remaining $30 million expected to be secured by September. As well as the familiar format, there will also be an expansion of Supertri-E sport, which combines real life and virtual racing. Athletes swim in an Olympic-standard pool then switch to stationary bikes and self-powered treadmills positioned poolside. The cycling and running segments are tracked and visualised using advanced platforms such as Dubai-based MyWhoosh, allowing both in-person and virtual spectators to follow the action in real time. Supertri also wants to build a global community on a digital platform similar to the popular Strava app. Jonny Brownlee, who owns a Supertri franchise team, described the new format as 'shorter and sharper, with action and drama throughout', which he believes can help to expand the sport. 'We need to inspire the next generation of triathletes and triathlon fans, and Supertri brings fresh thinking that makes the sport highly engaging and accessible to many people, both for fans and participants,' said Jonny, who won a gold medal in the mixed relay event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2022. 'It's also a great way for me to race against the best in an exciting and competitive format that's unlike anything else. I still want to test myself against the best in the world while I can still be competitive. Supertri is constantly innovating to make the sport better.' He offered hope for the average competitor without his superhuman endurance who want to take part in amateur events. 'You can be averagely fit and with a bit of training enter a 'By Supertri' mass participation event – it's much more accessible and enjoyable and fun,' he said. Michael D'hulst, the co-founder of Supertri and its chief executive, said the company's plans are 'designed to inspire and engage new and existing triathletes alike'. MyWhoosh was founded in 2019 by Akhtar Hashmi, a UAE-based entrepreneur who is chief executive of many technology companies. In 2023, the company was granted the rights to organise the Esports World Championship by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for the next three years. It is also the official indoor cycling platform of the World Tour UAE Team Emirates and its rider, Tadej Pogacar. Supertri has been operating in Saudi Arabia since 2019 and kicked off last year's Neom Beach Games, which was covered by the Saudi Sports Channel and beIN Sports. In 2023, viewing figures rose by 146 per cent, including a 66 per cent surge in live viewers, while Supertri's annual YouTube viewership from the country has grown more than 6000 per cent since 2022. Participation in the Saudi Triathlon Federation events increased 24 per cent from 2022 to 2023. Dr Dina Al Tayeb was the first Saudi female triathlete and also the first from the country to take part in the Ironman World Championship, in 2018 and 2019 in Hawaii. She has competed in 18 full and 45 half Ironman events and more than 100 races in the past 20 years. She now plays a prominent role as a board member of the Saudi Arabia Triathlon Federation, overseeing the development of the women's section of the sport.
CBC
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Mathis Beaulieu wins bronze at World Triathlon Cup in Uzbekistan
Canada's Mathis Beaulieu won a bronze medal Saturday at the Samarkand World Triathlon Cup. The 20-year-old from Quebec City finished third in one hour 47 minutes eight seconds. Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger of France won gold in 1:46:43 and Hungary's Marton Kropko picked up silver in 1:46:58. It was Beaulieu's second career World Triathlon Cup medal. He took silver in a sprint race last year in Huatulco, Mexico.
