Bengaluru South Member of Parliament (MP) Tejasvi Surya achieved the rare distinction of becoming an IRONMAN 70.3 finisher after completing a 1.9 km open-water swim, a 90 km cycling segment, and a 21.1 km run at the IRONMAN 70.3 Goa.
Surya finished the demanding race, which saw nearly 1,200 participants from around the globe. He said that he had been training for the triathlon for the past four months.
“Over the last four months, I have been training to participate in and complete the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, which is regarded as the ultimate test of endurance and mental and physical fitness. It was quite a challenge to train with all the travel related to work, but so many people who were busier and much older than I am, with more pressing schedules, were doing it. That gave me energy and mental strength,” Tejasvi Surya said.
The Bengaluru South MP had previously participated as part of a relay team in 2022, completing the 90 km cycling portion. Two years later, he surpassed himself by completing the entire distance, totaling 113 km.
To earn the IRONMAN 70.3 finisher’s medal, Tejasvi had to complete the race within a stipulated time of eight and a half hours under challenging conditions.
“IRONMAN is considered the epitome, the peak of endurance and fitness. It’s a sport that tests your mental strength because, in the end, it’s all about mind over matter. I wanted to take up the challenge for so many years now. My friends and my team pushed me to do this. When our Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Fit India movement and encouraged the entire country, especially the youth of India, to be physically fit, it became something I had to do. It gave me a new sense of purpose,” he revealed about his motivation to compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Goa.
The 33-year-old completed the 1.9 km swim in 57:24 minutes, tackled the tough 90 km cycling route in 4:06:41 hours, and ran the half marathon in 2:56:30 hours.
“I’m so happy that I could finish the race and earn the finisher title. In the last 20-30 minutes, when I was cutting it close to the finish time, it was the desire to do this and dedicate it to Modi ji that kept pushing me. So, thank you, and let’s all resolve to be strong and fit,” Tejasvi said after the race.