The IRONMAN Triathlon – also known as the endurance event of all endurance events, has recently seen a history bookmark at Nelson Mandela Bay over the weekend.
South Africans dominated the podium, taking all three spots in the men’s IRONMAN African Championship with Joe Skipper (from the UK) claiming the fourth spot. In the women’s race, third place also saw a South African crowned in bronze.
Western Cape locals can be proud that Mother City talent represented with absolute power.
Taking the IRONMAN win was Kyle Buckingham (from Nelson Mandela Bay) who now holds the title of the 2022 Isuzu IRONMAN Africa Champion. Second place saw Bradley Weiss from Stellenbosch shine in silver, and third place was earned by Matt Trautman from the Mother City.
Magda Nieuwould from Pretoria claimed both a PRO position in both women’s field and IRONMAN PRO podium position, coming in at an impressive third place.
All-in-all, four South Africans earned the PRO podium positions, something that has never happened before at this event.
Although it may not be Buckingham’s first time being a champion (he also won the 2018 event), his demeanour was as humble and emotional.
“I can’t believe that I’ve won it. That was the most stressful marathon I’ve ever had to run. The last 2km, I don’t know where I got that run from…” he said in the post-event interview.
“This is for my Mum and Dad that I’ve lost… that was all I was thinking of in those last 2km, to do it for them and my little boy. I just didn’t give up and I’m just so happy to take the win again [in] my home town.”
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Picture: Athletic Brewing Company