Javier Gomez has claimed his first Ironman triumph in Malaysia and set a new record over the course in Langkawi, finishing in 8 hours, 18 minutes, and 59 seconds. With this win, the five-time ITU world champion, two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion, and Olympic silver medalist from Spain has once again qualified for the Ironman World Championship.

Gomez’s long day in the heat and hills characteristic of this race began with almost a two-minute lead out of the 3.8-kilometer swim. However, he faced a strong challenge from Philipp Koutny on the 180-kilometer bike course, when the Swiss athlete surged ahead to build a gap of eight minutes over the last 60 kilometers.

Unfazed as he made his way onto the run, Gomez patiently chipped away at the gap. He finally regained the lead at the 25th kilometer and ran the day’s fastest marathon (2:54:44) to clinch the crown.

“That must have been the most extreme heat conditions I’ve ever raced in. And I won my first Ironman!” Gomez said. “Happy to finish the season in this brutal but beautiful race.”

While his focus for 2020 is the Tokyo Olympics, Gomez also wants to return to Kona and build on his experience from last year, with an eye toward a full-on assault in 2021.

Related

Silver for Luis and Beaugrand in Portugal

Silver for Luis and Beaugrand in Portugal

The Bahrain Victorious 13 stood on podiums over the Olympic distance at the European Cup Quarteira with Cassandre Beaugrand, Vincent Luis, and Georgia Taylor-Brown in their first races of the year, while Max Stapley kicked off his first year on the team by racing...

read more
Silver Lining For Wilde

Silver Lining For Wilde

Hayden Wilde fought hard to win silver at the World Triathlon Cup Napier at home in New Zealand, starting off his 2024 season which sees the world #2 triathlete and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist as a favourite for Paris. Wilde knocked off the rust coming from behind...

read more