Australian couple reign supreme in Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific C'ships
07 Oct 2023 06:43pm
While Josh Amberger, 34, came out triumphant in the men's category by clocking three hours, 50 minutes and 47 seconds (s), his 32-year-old wife, Ashleigh Gentle completed her challenge in 4:10:17s. - BERNAMA
While Josh Amberger, 34, came out triumphant in the men's category by clocking three hours, 50 minutes and 47 seconds (s), his 32-year-old wife, Ashleigh Gentle completed her challenge in 4:10:17s.
A total of 19 professional men and nine professional women triathletes were flagged off at Pantai Kok at 7.05 am today to compete in the event, which comprised swimming (1.9 kilometres), cycling (90km) and running (21.1 km).
Amberger revealed that this was his second win in the Asia Pacific Championships, having done so in the same meet in Cannes, France in 2017.
"It's an amazing feeling to win the Asia Pacific in Langkawi after I won the 2017 Ironman at Cannes and (becoming) the first person to win two titles. It's an amazing feeling, and I had so much fun today. The conditions were really challenging and the course was brutal but, overall, (I'm) super happy.
"The race was very tactical; I led out the swim with a large group. It was a very fast corner, so I went easy for a little bit and didn't take the lead until the 11th or 12th km of the run, and I felt good running until the win. I was really happy with my race and it is the toughest course in the world," he told reporters here today.
Mike Philips (3:52:23s) and Kurt McDonald (3:54:33s) made it a clean sweep by Australian men's triathletes.
Meanwhile, Ashleigh, who is competing in Malaysia for the first time, said she was happy and did not expect to win the women's category, especially when she was stung by jellyfish early in the race during the swimming discipline.
"It happened super early. Not even on my first loop, I felt I was stung by the jellyfish... my arms and legs felt a tingle, but it was okay, I had fun because there was nothing I could really do about that. It's a bit tactical in the race with the swim and bike and I waited for the run and hoped that I would win the race, which I did, and I'm really happy.
"But, the highlight for me was seeing my husband win. He did an amazing job and helped me so much with my career, so watching him succeed made me happy. We got married last year and have been able to share some race experiences together. So, to be able to come here and win Asia the Pacific together, it feels so good," she said.
In the professional women's category, Australia's Amelia Watkinson (4:16:05s) came in second while Lottie Lucas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was third in 4:20:59.
The top three finishers in the men's and women's categories have automatically qualified for the World Ironman Championships to be held in New Zealand on Dec 14-15, 2024. - BERNAMA
