14 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2018 sports Ironman hits new world record Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt defended his championship as he set new record in the event

Blummenfelt Triumphant return for completed• the race in 3:28:04 hours which Lawrence in Bahrain is a world best TDT | Manama TDT | Manama olly Lawrence took a Hwire-to-wire win at the he Middle East Ironman Ironman 70.3 Middle East 70.3 Bahrain Champion- Championship Bahrain yes- Tship held yesterday hit terday, defending her title and a new world record among the making a statement in her first other ironman championships, race back in eight months. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al The British athlete broke Khalifa announced. the finish tape in three hours, Norway’s Kristian Blummen- 59 minutes, 20 seconds. She felt has set a new world best showed no signs of weakness time after racing to victory in from the broken ankle that Bahrain, successfully defending had required surgery knocked his Middle East Championship her out of competition since title in the process. Ironman 70.3 Oceanside back There was also another heroic in April. display from Great Britain’s Hol- Lawrence emerged from the ly Lawrence, who joined Blum- 1.9-kilometer swim leg in 22:10, menfelt by defending her 2017 more than a minute ahead of Holly Lawrence at the finish line title after seeing off the gutsy Ellie Salthouse of Australia. challenge of compatriot Sarah After the 90-kilometer cy- world record on the men’s side. Lewis, cheered on by thousands cle course (2:10:43), she had David Plese finished 12th with of fans on a thrilling race day in grown that lead to two minutes a 3:52:56. Terenzo Bozzone the Middle East. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa with winners and 30 seconds. But behind her, pulled out of the race on the But it was the powerful dis- fellow Brit Sarah Lewis was bike leg, tank fully exhaust- play from the Bergen-born it out as they moved into the flying and making up ground, ed after two consecutive race Blummenfelt that captured the Bahrain International Circuit, bumping Salthouse down to weekends including an Iron- imagination on a near-perfect famous for its annual Formu- third place before running man. day conditions-wise in Bah - la 1 race, with the lead chang- out of road. Lawrence held on “I really was hopeful I would rain. His official time of 3:29:04 ing hands between Iden and to the lead in the concluding be able to finish the year on a beat the previous world best Blummenfelt, before the latter half-marathon leg (1:21:55) to high here in Bahrain, but when of 3:34:04, held by Germa - emerged at the front from T2. hold a 53-second lead ahead I pulled the pin at six kilom- ny’s , by five A gruelling 21.1km run course of Lewis. eters on the bike, I just had minutes. awaited, and Iden was in no “I really wasn’t sure about nothing… I just had to say it After exiting the swim course mood to give up the fight and my fitness coming in,” said was not my day today, live to in sixth place, some 38 seconds led the way in the early stag - Lawrence. “I knew I was fight another one. No regrets, adrift of the leader Eric Watson, es. However, Blummenfelt was healthy enough to compete, so I enjoy coming to Bahrain and Blummenfelt quickly got him- refusing to hand over the title I couldn’t be happier especially hanging out with the team.” self into contention on the bike he won so memorably in 2017, at one of my favorite races.” (swim), Alistair leg, taking the lead after 28km and by the 13.5km stage he was She continued, “It was a fast Brownlee (cycle), and local in front of his fellow country- back in front, a lead he never course, but you’re only as good Bahrain runner raced as part men Caspar Stornes and Gustav relinquished. The 24-year-old as the competition. I wasn’t too of a team. Earlier in the week, Iden, as well as Britain’s Adam finished the race with an average happy with my bike but I’m the six Bahrain Endurance Bowden. kilometre split of three minutes really happy with my run con- athletes visited heritage spots The group continued to battle 20 seconds on the run course, a sidering my injury hampered and local schools as part of my run [training]. I felt great their end-of-season camp and Top three professional men’s results: the whole time.” support of the Ironman race SWIM BIKE RUN FINISH The Bahrain course and con- spearheaded by team captain ditions as well as the quality of HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad 1. Kristian Blummenfelt NOR 00:21:36 1:56:52 1:06:58 03:29:04 competition produced a new Al Khalifa. 2. Gustav Iden NOR 00:22:03 1:56:37 1:07:13 03:29:25 Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt at the finish line

3. Casper Stornes NOR 00:21:30 1:56:32 1:11:15 03:33:31 phenomenal pace. ming, cycling and running. And functions. edition. The event, held Under the he was keen to stand among The Representative of HM the Moreover, HH Shaikh Nas- Top three professional women’s results: patronage of HRH Prince Sal- those who were waiting by the King for Charity and Youth Af- ser praised the huge turn - SWIM BIKE RUN FINISH man bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the cross-line to cheer the partici- fairs, President of the Supreme out to the event by specta - Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme pants as they complete the com- Council for Youth and Sports tors who lively cheered the 1. Holly Lawrence GBR 00:22:10 2:10:43 1:21:55 03:59:20 Commander and First Deputy petition. and President of Bahrain Olym- competitors. Prime Minister, featured more On this occasion, HH Shaikh pic Committee pointed out that HH Shaikh Nasser praised the 2. Sarah Lewis GBR 00:24:28 2:12:15 1:18:41 04:00:13 than 3000 triathletes from 84 Nasser praised the successful hitting a new world record in High Organising Committee of countries. Many of them were organisation of the event, stating the Ironman championships on the event for the successful or- 3. Ellie Salthouse AUS 00:23:14 2:12:16 1:26:36 04:06:25 from Bahrain and GCC. that hosting such international Bahrain’s soil is a clear evidence ganisation, expressing his happi- HH Shaikh Nasser followed sports events prove Bahrain as a of the keenness of top triathletes ness at the pleasant atmosphere the event’s three races; swim- valid venue for big international to take part in the Kingdom’s of the event. Elasto Painters to face Manama, Muharraq clubs TDT | Manama and 4 at Zain Basketball Are- Manama will be hoping to played for the Elasto Painters na in Um Al Hassam. It will mount a strong challenge in the Philippine Basketball ahrain’s top basketball clubs be held under the patronage against the Filipinos, and will be Association (PBA) professional BManama and Muharraq will of Bahrain Basketball Asso - relying heavily on their leading league in 2014 and 2016. at Seef District too be playing the visiting Rain or ciation (BBA) President Shai- talents such as Ahmed Abdu- Following their game with Shine Elasto Painters in a pair kh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al laziz, Maytham Jameel, Hus- Manama, the Elasto Painters of exhibition contests headlin- Khalifa. sain Shaker, Mohammed Hus- will face Muharraq on the ing the upcoming ninth Bah- Reigning national champions sain, Mohammed Ameer, and evening of January 4. The Ar- rain-Philippines Goodwill Bas- Manama will be the first to take American professional Wayne ad-based squad, like Mana - ketball Games 2019. to the court against the Elasto Chism. ma, have themselves a line- The two-day event is sched- Painters. The two teams will The exhibition will be extra up filled with star Bahraini Um al Hassan +973 17728699 Seef District +973 17364999 uled to take place January 3 lock horns on January 3. special for Chism, who twice players.