09/09/11
ironguides in Hawaii 2011: meet our athletes
ironguides will once again be well represented at the Ironman World Championships. Our team has 11 athletes toeing the start line. Here they are:
Category: results
Posted by: editor
ELITE
Once again, ironguides will be represented among the 50 athletes racing for the Ironman World Championship title. Qualifying for Kona as a professional triathlete requires meeting a different set of criteria than the ones age groupers deal with. Pro athletes are ranked according to their placing on ironman-sanctioned races during the whole year, and only the Top 50 can take part in the season's final and most important race in Kona.
Balazs Csoke
Age Group: PRO
Qualifying race: KPR (Kona Points Rankings) – read about his story here
Personal Status: Professional Triathlete based in Zurich
Kona starts: 0
VETERANS
The athletes below are lucky enough to experience Kona as a veteran. With that background, they can afford to have bigger goals and aim higher in terms of placing, they can define a more specific strategy since they are familiar with the course and conditions and, most importantly, they tend to be more relaxed than the rookies and therefore are able to enjoy the experience even more. We will have some speedy athletes returning to Kona this year.
Luiz Topan
Age Group: M45-49
Qualifying race: Ironman Cozumel 2010 (2nd M40-44 in 9h11)
Personal Status: Father of 3 & Lawyer in Brazil
Kona starts: 2 – 2009 (4th in 9:27, read about Luiz's race here) & 2007
Leonardo Moreira
Age Group: M40-44
Qualifying race: Ironman Brazil (1st M40-44 in 9:05, read about his win here)
Personal Status: Father of 2 & Business Owner in Brazil
Kona starts: 2007
Gustavo Moniz
Age Group: M40-44
Qualifying race: Ironman Brazil
Personal Status: Father & Business Owner in Brazil
Kona starts: 2 - 2009 & 1999
Andy Brodiziak
Age Group: M30-34
Qualifying race: Ironman UK
Personal Status: Father & Personal Trainer
Kona starts: 1- 2009
ROOKIES
There is nothing like achieving the life-long athletic dream of racing in Kona. Every phase of the process is memorable and something people will always be proud of; the hard training leading to the qualifying race; executing the race strategy to the best of their abilities; earning a qualifying spot; registering for IM, and the subsequent Kona-specific training and racing. For the first timers, the priority is to enjoy the race and the experience!
We have a special article for this crew: Advice for Kona rookies
Alicja Medak
Age Group: F35-39
Qualifying race: Ironman UK
Personal Status: Wife & Banker in London
Kona starts: 0
Rafal Medak
Age Group: M40-44
Qualifying race: Ironman UK
Personal Status: Husband & Banker in London
Kona starts: 0
Marcelo Penna
Age Group: M35-39
Qualifying race: Ironman Brazil
Personal Status: Security Manager, in a relationship
Kona starts: 0
Michelle Enslin
Age Group: F40-44
Qualifying race: Ironman South Africa
Personal Status: Business Owner
Kona starts: 0
LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
We are lucky enough to have the opportunity to help the two athletes below who qualified via the lottery system that a chance to “real-world people” to take part in the event and race alongside the world’s best triathletes. An inspiring and memorable experience!
Daniel Gil
Age Group: M40-44
Qualifying race: Lottery
Personal Status: Lieutenant Lifeguard, in a relationship
Kona starts: 0
Ron Poon
Age Group: M40-44
Qualifying race: Lottery
Personal Status: Business Owner in Thailand, in a relationship
Kona starts: 0
MEET IRONGUIDES IN KONA!
ironguides will be having a get-together at breakfast. Athletes will receive our freebies, and we will take our official photo.
Location: U-TOP-IT
Date: October 5th
Time: 9am
Who: ironguides athletes, coaches, sponsors & friends