Panaji: Biten Singh is no stranger to Ironman 70.3 Goa.In the past, the Indian Army athlete has finished on the podium, missed being the champion, ended with a disappointing run, and did not finish the race in 2024 due to dehydration. This year turned out to be special as Biten produced a record-breaking performance to win the sixth edition on Sunday.Biten clocked 4:24:29 to better the previous course record of 4:25:47 set by Uzbekistan’s Konstantin Belousov in 2025. His performance saw him finish 1 minute and 18 seconds faster than last year’s winner. He was also a good 22 minutes ahead of second-placed Anirudh Ravichandran (4:46:32).Interestingly, serial podium-finisher and former champion Nihal Baig finished third. Two years ago, Biten had finished second behind Baig. Now he has managed to overcome the odds.“I felt very good finishing first,” Biten said after completing the course in a record time. “I was posted in Tawang (on Army duty) in June and July, and trained well for the last three months. I am happy that I have achieved the target. I had decided that I would break the record today.”With the course record now behind him, Biten has his sights set on the next milestone in his journey: competing at the Ironman World Championship in Kona. “The World Championship is my dream,” he said.Over 2,000 triathletes from 30 countries took on the demanding course, comprising a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km cycling leg and a 21.1 km run, starting along the Miramar beachfront.In the women’s category, Marina Shliakhtina claimed the top spot with a time of 5:30:29. Sabina Iskakova finished second in 5:42:58, while Mellanie Vendt completed the podium in 6:04:54.The relay category also delivered a competitive contest, with Team Fit Swaggers Goa leading the standings in 4:33:24, followed by Team Serious About Training in 4:35:22 and Team Airforce 2 in 4:47:04, according to the event leaderboard.ResultsMen: Biten Singh (4:24:29), Anirudh Ravichandran (4:46:32), Nihal Baig (4:52:59); women: Marina Shliakhtina (5:30:29), Sabina Iskakova (5:42:58), Mellanie Vendt (6:04:54); relay: Team Fit Swaggers Goa (4:33:24), Team Serious About Training (4:35:22), Team Airforce 2 (4:47:04).
