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In swimming, Jan Frodeno (42) still keeps pace with the leaders. But then the oven is turned off. The king of triathletes takes to the cycling track in Nice (Friday). “The gladiator dies in his arena,” says the German into the ARD camera. Frodeno is aware he will not win a fourth Ironman World Championship title. He ends up in 24th place, more than 42 minutes behind.
That’s not crucial. Frodeno is also considered the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in his sport. He was born in Cologne. He grew up in South Africa and was first a swimmer, then a lifeguard and finally a triathlete. With his talent and unique ability to suffer like no other, he became the first German Olympic triathlon champion in 2008.
Four-time Ironman Switzerland winner Jan van Berkel (37) ended his career in July. And is full of praise for Frodeno. “He reinvented the sport, always pushing the professionalism forward and also reinventing the level of marketing, including with his racing series.
“Frodo” also had to go down
Frodeno lives in Andorra with his wife, Australian Emma Snowsill (she is a three-time triathlon world champion). The couple has two children. Frodeno is not only the best long-distance triathlete in history, but – especially in recent years – has also often had to finish at the bottom. He suffered a burnout, had major hip problems and suffered a partial tear of his Achilles tendon.
Van Berkel: «Jan always knew that life is more than just a triathlon. You could talk to him about God and the world.” Frodeno has always done a lot for the young people, according to the Zuricher.
A winner has never been so young
The Ironman victory on the Côte d’Azur goes to Sam Laidlow. The 24-year-old Frenchman was especially untouchable on the bike.
He crossed the finish line in 8:06:22 and was crowned the youngest Ironman world champion in history, ahead of German Patrick Lange (8:10:17) and Dane Magnus Ditlev (8:11:43).
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
