Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the growing fitness enthusiasm in India on Sunday, highlighting the fifth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa as a symbol of the #FitIndia movement. In a tweet from his official X account, PM Modi congratulated the thousands of participants, especially acknowledging two BJP youth leaders—Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai—for finishing the demanding triathlon. “Glad to see increased participation by our youth in events like Ironman 70.3, which was held in Goa today. Such events contribute towards the #FitIndia movement. Congratulations to everyone who took part.
Delighted that two of our young Party colleagues, Annamalai and Tejasvi Surya, are among those who have successfully completed the Ironman Triathlon,” PM Modi posted, tagging both individuals. The event, launched by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from Miramar Beach, attracted over 1,300 athletes from 31 countries—a 20 percent increase from the previous year—who began with a 1.9 km swim in the Arabian Sea. Competitors then cycled 90 km along Goa’s scenic coastal roads before undertaking a challenging 21.1 km run, totaling 113 km under the intense tropical sun. Uzbekistan’s Konstantin Belousov secured the men’s elite title with an impressive time of 4:25:47, while the UK’s Ellie Garrett excelled in the women’s category, finishing in 4:58:32.
Among amateur participants, a notable Indian trio—experienced IRONMAN competitors—finished 140th overall with a time of 6:07:06. Surya’s back-to-back success—his second consecutive finish—made him the first public official to earn the IRONMAN title twice at this event, clocking approximately 6:30 hours based on previous performances. “A strong finish to my second Ironman 70.3, made even more special because I did it alongside my dear brother @annamalai_k,” Surya tweeted after the race, attributing PM Modi’s vision for inspiring “a new wave of health, discipline.” Annamalai, 40, became only the second Indian politician to achieve this title, demonstrating resilience following his intensive training alongside party responsibilities.
Race Director Deepak Raj praised the event’s growth: “From 62 nations across five editions, Goa’s IRONMAN is now Asia’s premier half-distance showcase.” Actress Saiyami Kher, the event ambassador, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how such races combine adventure with community spirit. PM Modi’s endorsement enhances the reach of #FitIndia, linking elite endurance sports with grassroots yoga initiatives. As participants donned finisher jackets amidst applause, the Goa event reinforced India’s global fitness narrative—one pedal stroke at a time.