Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated India’s growing fitness enthusiasm 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 thousands of participants, especially two BJP youth leaders—Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai—for completing the challenging 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 #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 leaders.
The event, initiated 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 plunged into the Arabian Sea for a 1.9 km swim. Competitors then cycled 90 km along Goa’s scenic coastal roads before enduring a challenging 21.1 km run, totaling 113 km under the intense tropical sun. Uzbekistan’s Konstantin Belousov secured the men’s elite title in an impressive 4:25:47, while the UK’s Ellie Garrett led the women’s category in 4:58:32. Among amateurs, a notable Indian trio—experienced in multiple IRONMANs—finished with a time of 6:07:06, placing 140th overall.
Surya’s consecutive success—his second finish—made him the first public representative to earn the IRONMAN title twice here, completing the course in approximately 6:30 hours based on prior benchmarks. “A strong finish to my second Ironman 70.3, made all the 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 after rigorous training amidst 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, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing how such races combine adventure with community spirit. PM Modi’s endorsement enhances #FitIndia’s visibility, linking elite endurance with grassroots yoga initiatives. As participants donned finisher jackets amidst cheers, the Goa event reinforced India’s global fitness narrative—one pedal stroke at a time.
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