Roberto Ruiz qualifies for the 2023 Ironman world championship
A total of 12,707 kilometers separate Andorra from the district of Kona, on the island of Hawaii. That will be the route that the triathlete from Teruel Roberto Ruiz will have to complete after qualifying for next year’s Ironman world championship that is held on the paradisiacal American island. The Andorran will improve his ticket for the big event, in which Antonio Pérez from Teruel will participate this year, after finishing third in the general classification of the Barcelona Ironman held last weekend. It was the second time that he participated in a long-distance event, since his specialty is the middle distance, but next year he will have the opportunity to take the name of Teruel to the other side of the planet and place him among the best triathletes in this discipline. .
“Hawaii is a dream. An opportunity like this cannot be missed”, commented a Roberto Ruiz who is still digesting the crush achieved last Saturday in Barcelona when he finished his second Ironman in third position in the general classification: “I set out to go and the objective was to enjoy, but when I realized I had it in my legs. Last year was my first time and the distance was quite hard for me. This year I noticed the preparation and I arrived in good condition”.
“Last year was my first time and the distance was quite hard for me; this year I noticed the preparation and I arrived in good condition”
He did so, since after twelve years practicing triathlon and having accumulated very outstanding participations in Spanish championships, the triathlete from Andorra raised the bar by being the third fastest of the more than 5,000 registered to complete the 3.8 kilometers of swimming, the 180 km of cycling and the 42.2 km of running. In addition, Roberto Ruiz was second in his category, the men’s 35-39. All this was done with hardly any references throughout the test. “When I was lacing up my shoes for the run they told me I was running sixth and had four ahead of me with less than five minutes. At kilometer twelve forward to the third. I had not considered that scenario, ”confessed the Andorran after enjoying a moment that he was able to experience with his wife and his family.
work reward
The prize obtained at the Ironman in Barcelona is the result of an important effort. The triathlete from Teruel, who is part of the Saltoki trikideak team, counts the years by seasons. In November, Ruiz begins his preparation, which is usually focused on the Spanish middle-distance championships, completing weeks with 25 hours of training. A titanic effort that last Saturday obtained one of the most rewarding rewards.
Facing the great challenge of next year, the Andorran triathlete still does not have a clear planning, since now he is enjoying the more than deserved vacations after the work of the entire sports course. “My intention is to focus on the middle distance for the first part of the season and then look towards the world championship. My team fights to win or be ahead in the rankings and I also like to help”, predicted an athlete who doubts himself, since he explained that the opportunity to go to Hawaii “is a gift” so he is going to prepare the appointment “thoroughly” and “it will end up being the main objective of the season”.
A man from Teruel in this year’s
The great event of the Ironman in Hawaii will also have representation from Teruel in this year’s edition. Antonio Pérez will fulfill his dream of participating in the queen event of this discipline after spending several years preparing it. The triathlete from Teruel traveled to Kona on Tuesday and is already in the city where on Saturday he will start with the best in the world. Antonio Pérez will represent all Teruel in the quintessential Ironman event.