'Alo and Taro qualified at Goto Triathlon [1]
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 23:07. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Two Friendly Islands Triathlon Triathletes, 'Alo Fe'iloakitau and Kantaro Oishi qualified at the 2012 Goto Nagasaki International Triathlon, Japan yesterday, June 17 with both completing the Ironman distance well within the required time of 15 hours.
'Alo finished in the top 114 out of more than 1500 triathletes.
The competition, started at 7:00am yesterday at Goto on the island of Fukue in Japan. 'Alo said that the weather was overcast but the road was dry, and the water was flat at 20-21c, "the venue was awesome. The cycling was tough. Lost count on the hills, but they were high and long. The bike leg took a lot of my running leg.
"The whole island were on to it. Everyone was on the side of the road on every village, from kids to elderly cheering and playing drums and whatever they can make noise with, all the way from the swim to the end of the run. Every athlete was treated so special."
The Ironman distance triathlon competition, consisted of a 3.8km swim, a 180.2km cycling and a 42.2km run. 'Alo completed the three events in 12 hours six minutes and 42 seconds, and Kantaro in 14 hours, 18 minutes and 20 seconds. To qualify, a triathlete has to complete the events within 15 hours.
The winner of the competition completed the three events in nine hours, 29 minutes and 32 seconds and the 450th triathlete, and the last to qualify did it in 14 hours fifty seven minutes and fifteen seconds.
'Alo came in at 114th place and Kantaro in 352nd.
Only 450 qualified out of more than 1500 starters. Most of the competitors were Japanese, joined by the two from Tonga and one or two from South Korea.
'Alo and Taro's qualification from the Goto Triathlon opens up doors for them to compete in other international triathlon competitions which are recognized by the International Triathlon Union, such as the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, and other popular events in various centers of the world, such as New York, Berlin, London, Paris and others. The Friendly Islands Triathlon FIT is a member of ITU.