Taupo's Bryan Rhodes is claiming a historic first with his victory in the Ironman Malaysia triathlon in Langkawi.
Rhodes, who celebrated his first ironman win on his 28th birthday, believes he is the first triathlete to win an ironman from start to finish.
He became only the second New Zealand male to win an ironman title since Christchurch's Scott Ballance won Ironman New Zealand in Auckland in 1994.
"As far as I am aware, it is the first time in any official ironman race that someone has led from the gun to the end. I broke the line in the swim and no one passed me all day," Rhodes said.
"I am very sore today. That was the hottest and toughest conditions I have ever encountered."
Temperatures soared to 38deg C and 90 per cent humidity as the New Zealander held off the challenge from German superstar Lothar Leder to win in eight hours, 43 minutes and 54 seconds.
"I had eight minutes off Lothar going on to the run and he had chopped out nearly half of that by the time I reached the 20km mark, so I was a bit worried," Rhodes said.
"I knew I had been running really well back home, but the heat was so stifling, and there were not enough aid stations.
"I am absolutely elated. It is just starting to sink in what I have achieved. Wow, I'm finally a champion. It's hard to believe. And to beat someone of Lothar's calibre is fantastic."
It was Rhodes' second podium performance following his third placing in Ironman Canada in 1999.
He was fourth in Ironman California last year, fourth at Canada in 1997 and sixth at Taupo last year.
Leder, the first man to go under the eight-hour barrier for the ironman, won the Ironman Europe in Germany last year and was fourth at the world championships in Hawaii.
The German won Ironman New Zealand in 1997.
Rhodes led South African Glen Gore by a few seconds after the 3.8km swim in the Malacca Straits and steadily built a lead with a solo ride.
He led another South African, Raynard Tissink, by two minutes after the 180km cycle, with a further five minutes back to Australian Jason Shortis, and Leder a further minute down.
The German closed to within 4m 30s of the lead at the halfway mark on the 42km marathon run, but the New Zealander held him off with a strong effort in the middle stages to win by 3m 30s.
Tissink held on for third ahead of Canada's Garret MacFadyen and Gore.
Rhodes returns to New Zealand tomorrow and will take a break before preparing for the Air NZ Ironman in Taupo on March 3.
The women's title resulted in an upset win to Canberra athlete Belinda Cheney over Swiss world champion Natascha Badmann.
- NZPA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
Off-colour Warriors steam rolled by St George
The Warriors were out-layed by a much sharper Dragons side. Video / Sky Sport