LUNDU: A participant from South Africa, Jacobbus Strauss Gerstner emerged champion in the Men’s Open Category of the Sematan Triathlon 2017 held at Sematan Town Square near here, yesterday. Gerstner recorded a time of 2 hours 4 minutes 7 seconds through three disciplines namely 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycling and 10 km run. As champion, Gerstner, a student of Swinburne University Sarawak received RM1,500.
In second place was Abdul Rahman from the Royal Malaysian Air Force who recorded a time of 2 hours 10 minutes and 49 seconds. Nurhisham also from the Royal Malaysian Air Force was third with a time of 2 hours 10 minutes and 54 seconds. Gerstner was in 10th place at the World Triathlon held in South Africa, recently.
He hoped that more participants from overseas will take part in the event next year. “My preparation will include taking part in Kuching Dualthon to be held this October. I will not let go of the opportunity to take part in this event again next year,” he said. The Sematan Triathlon 2017 was organised by Tanjung Datu Service Centre, Lundu District Office and ZASS Event Management. The event attracted 70 participants including from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
Tanjung Datu Assemblywoman, Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Haji Anu presented prizes to the winners. The Men’s Veteran Category was won by Yatim Zainal Abidin in a time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 48 seconds. He received RM1,000.
Wendy Ng who recorded a time of 2 hours 40 minutes and 19 seconds emerged champion in the Women’s Open Category. She won RM1,000. The champion of the Men’s Masters Category was Chang Jong Kwon in a time of 2 hours 41 minutes and 50 seconds. He received RM1,000. The Team Relay was won by TIM 1 from the 1st Division Muara Tuang Camp in a time of 2 hours 41 minutes and 50 seconds.
