POWERBAR Ironman PC 12.2.07

Wong Ah Thiam aim for 9:45
Don Khor hope to dip below 11hours.
Hairul Azwar set 15hours as target.
Hairul Azwar interview by Bernama
Azwar answer question
Group photo
Don Khor,Wong Ah Thiam and Pm3 Hairul Azwar appear in 12.2.07 PowerBar PC for IRONMAN.

Read SIN CHEW DAILY report here:

（八打靈再也12日訊）從減肥到即將首次參加第八屆浮羅交怡鐵人三項比賽，擁有3個孩子的海魯阿茲華期待能在15小時以內完成這項俗稱超級鐵人的鐵人三項競賽。

今年30歲的海魯阿茲華今日在贊助商POWERBAR舉行的一項新聞發佈會上表示，他從一位想藉跑步減肥到即將實現參加超級鐵人賽的夢想，主要是兩、三年前看到一本刑登浮羅交怡鐵人三項冠軍的健壯身裁，就發誓要擁有如此的身段，以及以參加鐵人三項賽為目標，所以就積極以跑步為開始。

擔任電腦程序員的他表示，他目前的體重從80公斤減至60公斤左右，為了這項比賽備戰了三個月，除了朝九晚五的工作，他在早上五點就起床跑步，中午就爭取去健身中心訓練，然後再吃個簡單的午餐投入工作，而放工後又得投入訓練。

他指出，為了 能在15小時以內完賽，他在3.8公里游泳、 180.2公里腳車和42.2公里馬拉松，分別訂下1小時20分、7小時和4小時30分；海魯阿茲華的妻子將隨他前往浮羅交怡，將是他實現目標最大的精神支柱。

而大會贊助商POWERBAR也派遣旗下的數名選手參加這項艱辛鐵人三項競賽，除了海魯哈茲華，尚有第四次參賽的許義良和大馬首號鐵人選手黃亞添。

49歲的許義良，是本地另一名頂尖的鐵人三項和跑步好手，他期待能夠突破11小時的大關，所以他給自己訂下游泳、腳車和馬拉松的完成時間分別是1小時10分、6小時和4小時以內。

本身是一名電氣承包商的義良表示，他很慶辛獲得妻子的全力支持，不只是鐵人三項比賽，其他比賽都獲得妻子的貼心打氣。

個人持有馬拉松最佳時間3小時02分的義良，時常都在晚上6時至9時進行訓練備戰今次的鐵人三項比賽，然後才享受晚餐。

而黃亞添若能在預訂目標9小時45分完成比賽，POWERBAR也將送給他一份特別禮物，不過他欲改寫本身在去年世界賽創下的9小時57分可說不易，而他在浮羅交怡鐵人三項最佳成績是10小時15分。

亞添為了達到自己所訂下的目標，他希望能在1小時10分完成3.8公里游泳，5小時完成180.2公里腳車及3小時20分跑完42.2公里馬拉松。

第八屆浮羅交怡鐵人三項賽將在本月24日早上7時掀開17小時的漫長長征，出席今日的新聞發佈會尚有主辦當局LIEM有限公司執行主席拿督斯里南、POWERBAR經理拉依米和大會酒店SEA VIEW的代表等。


By NST

Ironman: Don determined to qualify for Kona

15 Feb 2007
DEVINDER SINGH

---

AGE will not be a barrier for 48-year-old Ironman triathlete Don Khor Ngee Leong as he bids to qualify for the World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii in October.

Don, who will be competing in his fourth Langkawi Ironman on Feb 24, believes he is capable of going under 11 hours despite his advancing years, and qualify for Kona for the first time.

"I have been training intensively for the last three months but you always feel as though no matter how much effort you put in, it is still not enough.

"But I have to be careful not to over-train, otherwise it could lead to burnout even before the race starts," said Don, who will be vying for one of two slots available in the 45-49 age group.

Don, an electrical contractor in Kuala Lumpur, does not believe age is a hindrance when competing in the Ironman.

"What is most important is you must have the passion. I do not think age is a factor because it boils down to how you have trained and prepared for the race.

"It is also a good way of staying healthy. My wife and three kids are very supportive of me and I will try to qualify for the World Championships from my age-group."

Don, who has a personal best of 11 hours and 23 minutes which he set in Langkawi in 2004 when he finished third in the 40-44 age group, will have to go below 11 hours to stand a chance of qualifying for Kona.

Last year’s winner in the 45-49 age group, Australian Stephen Firth, clocked 10:57:13 while Tomoji Maru from Japan was 3:37 behind in second. Don finished fifth and 68th overall in a time of 11:47:33.

Firth and Maru have confirmed their entries this year and will again be Don’s main challengers.

"To qualify I must be able to swim (3.8km) in one hour and ten minutes, complete the cycling (180km) leg under six hours, then run the marathon (42.2km) in four hours," said Don.

Don has run under four hours in the marathon in 2004 and went below six hours in the cycling leg last year.

"On a good day it is possible for everything to come together. That is what I will be striving for."

Triathlon: Healthy lifestyle bears fruit for Hairul 13 Feb 2007

DEVINDER SINGH

---

A DESIRE to get into shape saw Hairul Azwar Hashim transform from an overweight heavy smoker to an Ironman triathlete in just two years.

The 29-year-old computer programmer, who will be competing in his first Ironman Langkawi Malaysia triathlon on Feb 24, has been reaping the benefits from his healthier lifestyle choice.

"Two years ago, I smoked heavily and weighed just over 80kg. Then one day, I picked up a magazine and saw a muscular and fit Jason Shortis (the 2006 Ironman Langkawi champion) and I was inspired to get into shape.

"I gave up smoking and started to run before eventually taking part in marathons. I got to know some triathletes who ran in marathons and it was then that I decided to take part in triathlons," said the Kuala Lumpur-born father of three, who now weighs 60kg.

After competing in several triathlons, including the Port Dickson International Triathlon last year where he achieved a top-10 finish in his age category, Hairul decided to take the ultimate plunge.

"I wanted to challenge myself to determine the capability of my body, so I decided to enter the Ironman triathlon. I do feel a little nervous but after three months of extensive training for this event, I am hopeful of at least reaching the finishing line!"

However, Hairul, who will be competing under the Powerbar Team Elite banner, feels he is capable of finishing the Ironman in 15 hours.

"It has been tough to work nine to five and train simultaneously for the Ironman. But I have been able to manage my time well and hopefully I will get to live my dream on Feb 24."

Meanwhile, LIEM Sdn Bhd, the organisers of the Ironman Langkawi, will not entertain entries after the deadline for registration closes on Friday as the number of participants is expected to reach 700, the highest ever for Langkawi.

"In previous years, we have accepted entries on the morning of the race. But we will not entertain last minute entries this year as we already have a very high turnout," said LIEM chief executive officer and president Datuk Sri Ram Sarma in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Earlier, Sri Ram accepted sponsorship of Powerbar Performance Bars and Gels from Powerbar Malaysia representative Mohammad Rahimi.