Seven champion warriors from the Bahrain Endurance Team have converged on the kingdom of Bahrain for the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship this weekend. After a long year of hard racing, this will be the final test of their endurance and fortitude.
Ironman World Champion Daniela Ryf will complete her attempt to win all three races of the Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown in a bid for the million-dollar bonus pot. Alongside her on the starting line will be Ironman African Champion Jodie Swallow and two-time Ironman Asia-Pacific Champion Caroline Steffen.
In the men’s field, four-time Ironman champion Ben Hoffman, Ironman 70.3 Vietnam champion James Cunnama, Ironman Taiwan champion Domenico Passuello, and fastest Ironman debut record holder Brent McMahon will ensure the level of competition is high on the fast course.
Team captain His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa will also be racing, as this is the first Ironman event to be held in the region.
Aside from those racing, two more champion Bahrain Endurance athletes have also been in attendance as the team conducts their end-of-season training camp with the aim of inspiring the nation to better health and fitness. Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno and Ironman 70.3 Budapest champion Terenzo Bozzone have joined the team on training sessions with local elite and age group athletes and conducting Q&A sessions at school visits.
In an intimate dinner with the princes Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid, the team received praise for raising the standard of triathlon through their efforts. Shaikh Nasser challenged other teams to do the same. He said he was extremely proud of the team members and what they do to help promote awareness of a healthy lifestyle through triathlon and endurance sports.
McMahon summed up the team’s sentiments, saying, “I am most honoured and grateful to be a part of His Highness’s vision and passion for our sport.” It is a vision that has seen the Bahrain Endurance Team race for key long-distance triathlon titles and promote a culture of health and wellness and endurance sporting excellence across the Gulf region and beyond.
