The Friendly Islands Triathlon (FIT) flag was flying on the shore of Lake Toya in Hokkaido, Northern Japan on 24 August.

Two Friendly Islands Triathlon FIT triathletes, Kantaro Oishi and Heitini Lelenoa competed in the Hokkaido Ironman tournament.

The more than 1,300 triathletes aged from 18-71 competed in the event in age categories. Taro and Heitini were competing in the 40-44 age category. 

The Ironman course included a 3.8km swim, a 180.2km bike ride and a 42.2km run on the shores of Lake Toya.

Kantaro completed the course in 12hr 36mins 04secs, and Heitini came in about three hours later with a time of 15hr 37mins 14secs.

The winner of the 40-44 age category completed the course in 10hrs 15mins and 5secs.

Heitini returned home to Tonga on Saturday. Hokkaido was his first Ironman competition.

"The toughest part was the cycling, too many hills. The first one and the one I'll never forget was about 12kms long. At the end of the cycling I had blisters on the sole of my feet and one of my toe nails fell off," he said. Then he had to put on his running shoes to do the 42.2kms run.

He said that he made things difficult for himself because he was careless, such as accidently getting mud into his shoes when he ran from the lake to his bicycle, and he also tightened up his shoes too tight. "Little things like that did the damage, and slowed me down, but with regards to stamina I had no problem."

Haitini's next goal is to qualify for the Kona, Hawaii Ironman.