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.

Strong waves and currents on race morning saw the swimming discipline cut down to 1km instead of the usual 1.9km, while the 90km bike and 21.5km run were carried out in full.

The altered distance did not affect 28-year-old Tikhonin as he posted 3’49:36 to successfully dethrone last year’s champion Jed Radbone of Australia, who had to settle for second place with 3’57:29.

Tikhonin’s compatriot, Ilya Kosov, came in third.

“Everybody had the same challenge. So I just pushed through and completed it,” said Tikhonin, who arrived in Desaru in winning form following his title at the Ironman 70.3 Durban in June, where he set a personal best of 3’56:29.

This time, though, Tikhonin consciously limited his exertion.

“I did not intend to achieve a personal best at this race.

“I made a deliberate call to exert 90% of my effort due to the higher humidity and heat here.”

Tikhonin also noted that this experience would be beneficial for his preparations for the world championships in Nice this September.

“It provides an opportunity to train under different conditions before going to France.”

Kurchenko, who completed the course in 4’18:27, was disappointed with the shortened swimming distance.

“As a swimmer, I was sad the swimming was reduced,” she said.

Despite this, Kurchenko capitalised on her swimming prowess, maintaining a strong start to finish ahead of Singapore’s Choo Ling Er, who was vying for her fourth consecutive title.