Delighted Dutch triathlete Youri Keulen is headed to Kona after a three-year plan to prepare for full-distance racing resulted in a debut to remember at IRONMAN Brazil on Sunday.
The one-time middle-distance specialist admitted it was a ‘dream come true’ to be heading out to the Big Island for October’s World Championships, although he did also confirm that his body felt like a ‘train wreck’ after securing second place behind winner Wilhelm Hirsch (GER).
Keulen is the latest in a long line of athletes stepping up to full-distance competition and spoke last week of his lengthy preparations, which included travelling to IRONMAN Texas so that he could train and learn from his colleagues Marten Van Riel (BEL) and Vincent Luis (FRA).
Massive career milestone
Describing the race as a ‘massive milestone in his career’, he put in a truly impressive display as he and Hirsch broke away from the main pack and never looked in danger of surrendering their places at the head of the field.
While it was the German who had a little bit more in his legs come the final stages of the marathon, Keulen was just happy to have achieved what he set out for… a spot at Kona.
Hirsch crossed the finish line in 7:32:21, having completed the marathon in 2:38:28, while Keulen, who had ridden the fastest bike split of 4:04:36, came in a minute behind on 7:33:21.
Speaking to Stemma Sports immediately after the race, he said: “From now on, Brazil will have a very special place in my heart, and I will never forget this day. It’s really big for me, and I want to thank my coaching team and everyone who has been involved in this process.
‘Something I have always wished and dreamt of’
“It has been a build-up for the past three years, and to make it possible for me to finish on the podium in my very first IRONMAN is something that I have always wished and dreamt of.”
It did, however, take a little bit more out of him than he probably anticipated, as the evening’s plans for a night on the town celebrating his success were swiftly forgotten.
“I said to my coach that if I get on the podium, we’ll go to the nightclub, but I don’t think that will happen… I think the nightclub will simply be the goodnight club.”
And by the tone of his Instagram post on Monday morning, the decision to get an early night had clearly been the right one.
‘I couldn’t have wished for a better day’
“7:33 and P2 🤯 and FRECKING HAWAII BABY!!!!! @brasilironman,” he wrote, before then revealing just how much the race had taken out of him.
“I can’t really describe in words what I feel or think right now, as I believe I need some days for this. I’m really sore, and my body feels like a train wreck, but man, I couldn’t of wished for a better day, and the atmosphere and vibe on the course has been truly something else. ❤️
“Insane performance by @willy.hirsch from both of us running on our last legs; he had the longest. Well done, brother!!!
“But most and foremost, a massive thanks to my team. @ptc_coaching, @josephineperry76, @edovdmeer and many others. You guys knew how much I wanted this and gave me the platform to perform. I can’t thank you enough for that.
“Let’s get my Kona stamp at the slots ceremony today. 🌺”
Arnaud Guilloux of France grabbed third place and the final Kona slot with a finishing time of 7:38. While in the women’s race, the top three were Romina Biagioli (ARG), Pamella Oliveira (BRA), and Julie Iemmolo (FRA).
