Putrajaya, 6 March 2016 –After an intense race, Thomas Bruins completed the race in 2:35:53 to be crowned the winner of the Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships – Malaysia 2016. This was followed by Filipino John Leerams Chicano, 2:39:19 and Frenchman Gael Le Bellec, 2:40:42 as the first and second runner up respectively. United Kingdom’s Emma Pooley came in first in the female elite category with a total completion time of 2:57:27, followed by Airi Sawada, Japan, and Mirasol Abad, The Philippines, who have completed the race in 3:13:40 and 3:15:40 respectively.
E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd broke the Malaysia Book of records for the ‘Largest Participation of Duathlon Championships’ in Malaysia. The organiser has also achieved record number of participation amongst Powerman championships worldwide.
“We are extremely pleased to have met our target of 2,645 participants and delivered an incredible race”, said Andrew Ching, CEO of E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd. “While initial participant feedback has been positive, we will continue to fine tune operations and planning to make 2017 even more successful.”
Powerman Asia Duathlon Championship complete either a 10km Run, 60km Cycle, 10km Run or 5km Run, 30km Cycle, 5km Run in one of four categories: Powerman Classic, Powerman Short, Powerman Classic Relay and Powerman Short Relay. “Physical and mental endurance is the key to completing the race,” he added.
Bruins, winner of the Powerman Asia Duathlon Championship Series 2016 Powerman Classic category, commented about the challenging weather in Putrajaya. “Powerman is a true personal challenge and a test of mental strength. The heat makes this course one of the most challenging worldwide and I am pleased to finish the race in such good time. I look forward to training hard and posting an even better time next year.” He is currently ranked 14 in the Powerman World Rankings.
John Raadschelders, President of the International Powerman Association, also advises new and upcoming duathletes to pursue their passion through consistent training. “Pushing your limits is never easy, but the feeling of achievement is incredible,” said John.
He added that Powerman will continue to provide a vital platform to nurture more duathletes worldwide. “This extended partnership with Malaysia is the result of global transformation and perception that anyone can be a duathlon champion via consistent training and perseverance.”
Datuk Zulkefli Hj Sharif, the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is confident that Malaysia will continue its transformation journey to become an international sports hub of excellence at an accelerated pace.
“Participants from 39 nationalities gathered today to form the largest Powerman gathering in the world. With a growing number of internationally renowned sporting events hosted here, Malaysia is looking towards sports as one of its major attraction tool for both international and domestic tourism,” he said.
He added that Malaysia Major Events (MME), a division of MyCEB, under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, will continue to work hard through strategic partnerships to ensure Malaysia remains on the global map as the event venue of choice for sports, arts, lifestyle and entertainment events in Asia.
The Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships is organised by E-Plus Global Sdn Bhd, supported by Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Malaysia Major Events, Malaysia Truly Asia, Compressport, Dorsett Hospitality International Putrajaya, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Spacebib, Train Live Compete, RunSociety, ImCyclist.com, VOLT Bicycle, Suunto, Rudy Project, Shinjiru, iM4U, Phiten, Pro-Tec Athletics, Running Malaysia Magazine and Cycling Malaysia Magazine.
For more information and announcements, follow us on our Facebook at Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships – Malaysia and website at www.powermanmalaysia.com.
