TWO Bahrainis – May Alhaji and Dr Saqer Al Khalifa – showcased extraordinary mental and physical endurance by completing one of the world’s toughest sporting challenges: Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain.
Both athletes told the GDN that they were proud to represent Bahrain on such a prestigious stage, noting that the course presented numerous technical challenges, but their rigorous training and determination helped them successfully reach the finish line.
“Last year was one of the toughest years of my life – physically and mentally, “ said Ms Alhaji.
“I had already qualified for the World Championship in Lahti, Finland, but due to health issues, I couldn’t race.
“It was heartbreaking,” she explained.
“That same year, I failed to qualify for the World Championship in TaupÅ, New Zealand, and I remember feeling completely defeated. I told myself I’d stop chasing world championship slots and just race for the love of the sport, without the pressure of qualification.”
This year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella took place on November 8 and 9.
Athletes qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship by finishing among the fastest in their age group at a qualifying IRONMAN 70.3 race or by earning a spot as a professional competitor.
Ms Alhaji crossing the finish line
“Last year was a year of rebuilding, becoming physically stronger, mentally sharper and emotionally more grounded,” said Ms Alhaji.
“At Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain, I placed second in my age group, first among Bahraini women, and first in the GCC category, earning my qualification slot to the race in Marbella, which felt like a dream come true,” said Ms Alhaji.
Her training included long bike rides in Zallaq, followed by treadmill runs, gym strength sessions and pool swims.
“My biggest challenge during the race was the bike course. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. The climbs were long, but the descents – fast and technical – tested every bit of focus and control I had,” she added.
The race features a 1.9km swim in the Mediterranean, a challenging 90km bike course with significant elevation gain through the hills of Andalusia and a 21.1km run along the scenic beachfront promenade.
“Running down that finish line hearing ‘May Alhaji from Bahrain’ was a moment I’ll never forget,” she said.
“To carry my country’s flag across the line, among the best triathletes in the world, was a reminder of how far we’ve come as athletes in Bahrain.
“In 2016, I finished near the bottom of my age group. This year, my goal was to finish in the top 50 per cent in the world – and I achieved exactly that.”
Meanwhile, Dr Al Khalifa expressed pride in completing the race, noting that the achievement was especially meaningful to him as a diabetic athlete.
The 45-year-old was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2008, and later re-diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2013. While many might have seen that as a setback, he turned it into a source of strength – embarking on a journey of resilience and adventure that has taken him to some of the world’s top marathons.
“I was lucky enough to qualify at Ironman Salalah (Oman) last year,” he said, adding that much of his training took place during his two-and-a-half-month journey from Bahrain to Europe earlier this year.
“During that trip, I didn’t slack off. I trained every day by running, swimming and cycling, so I felt well prepared for this race. The biggest challenge was the cycling segment because if you push too hard, it becomes difficult to use your legs for the half marathon.”
During the cycling segment
The American University of Bahrain adjunct professor, who holds a PhD in political science from Claremont Graduate University in California, admitted that not living in a mountainous area was a disadvantage compared to competitors who regularly train on hilly terrain. Still, one of the most memorable moments of the race came when he met another athlete with diabetes on the course.
“As I passed him, I asked if he was diabetic. He said yes, and that he was already a winner just for competing, no matter who passed him,” he recalled.
“I told him he was an inspiration and to keep going. It reminded me that as diabetics, we’re not competing against others, we’re competing against ourselves, pushing to become better every day.”
Sharing advice for others living with diabetes, he encouraged them to focus inward rather than comparing themselves to others.
“The way I see it, diabetes is different from other diseases,” he said.
“You live with it, but if you learn how to manage it, you can lead a healthy lifestyle and prevent things from getting worse.
“Don’t look at what anyone else has done. Look at yourself, and ask how you can overcome your own challenges.”
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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