National athletes top Desaru Coast Triathlon events 

KOTA TINGGI – Desaru Coast Multisport Festival’s final fringe event, the 5150 Triathlon saw several familiar faces cross the finish line as Nigel Ng, Mayumi Shinozuka, and Chong Yoong Thiang claimed the top spot in their respective age categories.  

The 5150 Triathlon has its participants swim 1.5km, bike 40km, and run 10km.  

Ng, who represented Malaysia at the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games in the men’s individual triathlon event and finished 12th, crossed the finish line first today for the male 18 to 24 years old category.  

With a time of 2h 18m, Ng said he was satisfied with his overall performance.  

“I had a good race today as I came out of the swim well and maintained my pace on the bike.  

“I had a good bike, the weather was amazing, and the race was well organised,” the 19-year-old told reporters after his win.  

Shinozuka, 21, crossed the line in 2h 36m to claim victory in the women’s 18 to 24 years old category.  

“I want to make sure that my fitness level is at its best. I am happy to have finished first even though I did not set any targets,” said the seventh-place finisher at the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games.  

Meanwhile, Chong ran through the finish tape first for the male 25 to 29 years old category with a time of 2h 19m.  

He wore the national colours at the Hanoi SEA Games when he finished the men’s individual triathlon event in the ninth spot.  

The day’s other event, the Desaru Coast Sprint Triathlon, which is half the distance of the 5150 Triathlon, saw national athlete Nuraina Naziha Mohamad Nazim take the women’s category win with a time of 1h 33m. 

The weekend’s main event, the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, will kick off tomorrow and see participants swim a distance of 1.9km, bike 90km, and run 21.1km.  

Tomorrow’s event will also see Malaysia’s youngest participant in the Ironman World Championships, Lim Chee Yong at the starting line. – The Vibes, July 23, 2022.