Shaikh Nasser qualifies for 2018 World Triathlon Championship in Hawaii

Manama : His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa secured a berth in the 2018 World Triathlon Championship in Hawaii by producing an incredible performance in the IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain yesterday. 

Shaikh Nasser set a course record of 4.12:53 hours in the amateurs and military category by beating more than 2000 opponents in the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit. “I knew that the race would not be easy, especially since we will compete with many champions, but we have set a great example by giving Bahrain the first place,” said Shaikh Nasser. 

Considered the most challenging one-day sporting event in the world, each year, more than 80,000 athletes reportedly compete for slots in the Ironman world champion at qualifying events all over the world, with only around 2000 make it to the start line of the race in Kona. 

IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain offers 40 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa and 10 from the Military slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

His Highness dedicated the victory to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and to the people of Bahrain. 

“This great achievement is an appreciation to all young Bahrainis,” said the Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. 

His Highness Shaikh Nasser finished the swimming race in 28 minutes and 56 seconds, cycling in two hours and 13 minutes and crossed the finish line, after completing the running race, in one hour and 27 minutes. 

When asked what went well for him to claim victory in the event, Shaikh Nasser said, “This victory didn’t come out of a vacuum. Ambitions and enormous desire led us to this great victory.”

Shaikh Nasser was cheered during the event by his children, HH Shaikha Sheema, HH Shaikh Hamad and HH Shaikh Mohammed. 

 Winners were crowned by His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Environment, President of the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation, Hesham bin Mohammed Al Jodar, Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs and Abdulrahman Askar, General Secretary of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport and Amal Al Murbati, the Managing Director of Faalyat Management Co.