Kazakhstan athletes won slots for the 2019 Ironman 140.6 World Championship in Kailua-Kona

Last weekend there were several Ironman 70.3 events around the world - in Florida (USA), in Costa Navarino (Greece), in Liuzhou (China) and in Lima (Peru). We especially remember the race that took place in Liuzhou, where Kazakhstani athletes performed.

In Liuzhou, 1024 athletes from 42 countries of the world were announced in start list. This “half-iron” event was remarkable in that there were 25 slots for the Ironman 140.6 World Championship in Kailua-Kona and 50 slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice. To get the slot, it was necessary to take the first place in their age group and gender category. However, the organizers do not always follow this rule and give additional slots to participants of those age groups that are most popular.

Five Kazakhstan athletes performed in Liuzhou. Three of them managed not only to become one of the winners in their age groups, but also to win slots for the Ironman 140.6 World Championship in Kailua-Kona. Thus, in M35-39 category, the time worthy of the silver medal and the slot for the Ironman 140.6 World Championship was demonstrated by the seven-time Ironman, the winner of the 2018 TEMIRADAM Cup final, Alexey Sidorenko. His time was 4 h. 25 min. 20 sec. The first place among women in the same category was taken by Dana Shaymerdenova, who finished first and showed a time of 4 h. and 53 min. 56 sec. For this result, the athlete was awarded a gold medal and a slot for the Ironman 140.6 World Championship.

The third result in the F40-44 age group was shown by Nagima Kerimbaeva. She managed to finish with a time of 5 h. 04 min. 02 sec. and to be honored not only with a bronze medal, but also with the right to perform at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Our other athletes also successfully finished. Daniyar Uteulin completed the distance with a time of 06 h. and 10 min. 30 sec. and became the 64th in M35-39. And Pavel Artyushenko, started in M40-44 category, showed the 18th reuzultat - 4 h. 53 min. 51 sec.

Note that, traditionally, the Ironman 140.6 World Championship is held in Kailua-Kona, located in American Hawaii. This year it will be held on October 12. As well that the Ironman 70.3 World Championship will be held on September 7 in Nice, France.