Kyrgyzstan’s champions react differently as rough seas force a shortened swim course

Mixed feelings: Evgeny Tikhonin (right) and Mariia Kurchenko overcame strong waves and currents to claim the men’s and women’s titles. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

DESARU: For one it is a boon but for another is a bane.

Yesterday, triathletes Evgeny Tikhonin and Mariia Kurchenko from the mountainous nation of Krygyzstan claimed the top spots in both the men’s and women’s categories of the Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast but reacted differently to the unkind weather in the morning.