Iskandar Investment Hosts Triathlon Coaching Clinic for Challenge Iskandar Puteri Triathletes

The highly anticipated Challenge Iskandar Puteri 2018 will be back from 15 to 16 September 2018 at Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri. Approximately 700 participants will join this year’s Swim-Bike-Run triathlon race that will put athletes’ stamina to the acid test during the 1.9 km, 90 km and 21 km drill, respectively. Popular triathletes such as Luke McKenzie, Matt Burton, Beth McKenzie, Anna Eberhardt, Michael Fox, Kieran Roche, Moya Johanssan, Belinda Granger, John Chicano, Luz Poblete, Felix Walchshöfer and Kieran Roche have confirmed their participation in this weekend’s race that will take participants around scenic routes in Puteri Harbour, Medini and Kota Iskandar.

Mitch Robins (last row, middle), Ungku Azhar (fourth from left) and participants of Challenge Iskandar Puteri are ready for the race

Preparing triathletes for the race, Mitchell Paul Robins or popularly known as Mitch Robins (Mitch) from Australian conducted a triathlon coaching clinic ‘Race Like a Champion’ on 2 September 2018 at EduCity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Mitch who won last year’s race, was joined by a Holland-born athlete, Ungku Azhar Ungku Mohammad Maznan (Ungku), a certified ITU coach and an icon for extreme sports in Johor Bahru at the clinic sponsored by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).

Athletes demonstrate their learning at the Run session

“It is our pleasure to support the ‘Race Like a Champion’ clinic that is in line with IIB’s vision to make Iskandar Puteri a preferred sports destination for amateur and competing athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines,” said Datuk Ir Khairil Anwar Ahmad, President/Chief Executive Officer of IIB.

“Partnering Carbon Sports that is the team behind the Challenge Iskandar Puteri, IIB and other stakeholders have come together to showcase the livability of this city for the third time running. As you can see, there are world-class training facilities, permanent sporting academies, year-round triathlons and extreme sports events that kept residents and visitors to Iskandar Puteri engaged in a sports-oriented lifestyle,” added Khairil.

“I am excited to see more local athletes taking part in this year’s race, and the number of children entering the competition is on the rise too. I am sure everyone can take away something from our demonstrations and counselling sessions,” said Mitch.

Trainers and triathletes interact freely during the bike coaching session.

“We did not conduct too many drill sessions and kept it to the basics so that all 40-odd participants will know how, and when to apply the techniques that we have demonstrated, including during transitions,” added Ungku.

Mitch Robins conducts the swim practical session.

Zontan, a participant from Hungary who currently resides in Singapore, reaffirmed that the duo had covered many aspects, especially on the swimming and running legs. He commented that both adult and young triathletes had gained so much from this one-day programme and cannot wait for the race to take place on 15 and 16 September.

Both Ungku and Mitch are happy to share their skills and past experiences with participants of all ages.

Information on Challenge Iskandar Puteri can be found on its Facebook (Challenge Iskandar Puteri) or website, challenge-iskandarputeri.com