World championships bronze for triathlete Alex
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Triathlete Alex Fairman has won his first international medal. The 22-year-old from Chatham picked up the bronze in under 24 men's category of the Long Distance Triathlon World Championships held in Alemere, Holland. After getting his call up for the team Alex spent the summer training heavily for the tough endurance event. Competitors have to swim 4km, ride 180km and run 40km. In high temperatures and choppy waters Alex completed the course in six hours and 43 minutes. He got off to a good start being placed in the top quarter of the field after the first lap of the swim. The Loughborough graduate started the bike phase in eighth position passing an American and Lithuanian in transition. |
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He quickly caught a Dutch and Spanish athlete and was in fifth place by the time he got off the bike.
The heat was taking its toll on the athletes but Alex was making good progress, climbing through the positions. He passed a Brazilian runner and mid-way through the run had the third-placed Finnish athlete in his sights. He overtook the Finnish competitor who was unable to respond as Alex steadily pulled away from him.
Alex finished in the bronze medal position, delighted to get on the podium in his first attempt at this distance.
"I see this as a very positive result and as a stepping stone to competing in other world events"
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