'Alo Fe'iloakitau (left) with the Ambassador of Japan, HE Mr Yasuo Takase and Kantaro Oishi

Two triathletes from the Friendly Islands Triathlon (FIT), 'Alo Fe'iloakitau and Kantaro Oishi, will be competing in the 2012 Baramon King Goto Nagasaki International Triathlon at Goto City, Fukue Island, Nagasaki, Japan, on June 17.

The Goto Nagasaki International Triathlon this year replaces the Ironman Japan, which used to be held in the same venue. 

The 2012 Goto Nagasaki International Triathlon is in three categories. 'Alo and Kantaro will be competing in Type A, and will be the first athletes from Tonga to compete in an Ironman distance.  Under Type A, there is a 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycling followed by a 42.2km run.

Two other categories include Type R, a relay with one athlete for each of the three events, with the same distance as in Type A; and Type B – with a 2km swim,124km cycle and a 28km run. 

Competitors must complete the swim, cycle and run in 15 hours, or be disqualified. 'Alo is targeting to compete the race in 12 hours, and Kantaro in 13 hours.

The two triathletes and officials of the Friendly Islands Triathlon were invited by the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Yasuo Takase to his office on Thursday June 7 to give his support for the initiative by FIT to establish a sporting affiliation between Tonga and Japan. Ambassador Takase offered his support for FIT to invite Japanese triathletes to an international triathlon competition in Tonga in the future.

'Alo and Kantaro are accompanied to Japan by a management team, consisting of the Secretary and Treasurer of FIT, Tricia Emberson, and a Manager/Interpreter, Masi Kava-Ha'apai.