Search
shop

Justin Metzler tips ‘generational talent’ Sam Long for Kona glory

Justin Metzler says Coeur d'Alene conqueror Sam Long is a generational talent and will win the IRONMAN World Championship at Kona one day.
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

IRONMAN Coeur D’Alene runner-up Justin Metzler heaped praise on race winner Sam Long suggesting the American is a ‘once in a generation’ talent and will reign supreme at Kona one day.

The 28-year-old, speaking on his own Youtube channel after the weekend’s race in Idaho, USA, insisted his fellow countryman Long was going to pick up big victories – including an IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.

The comments came mere hours after 25-year-old Long took the top step of the podium in a strong field which contained 2017 Kona runner-up Lionel Sanders.

“Sam [Long] is legit,” said Metzler, “we all know that. Sam is going to win Kona one day, he’s going to win big races – he’s a once in a generation type talent.

Advertisement

Sam Long vs Justin Metzler

“Racing him is super-motivating for me, me and him have had a rivalry for many years – being young guys, both based in Boulder, similar age and we are just ultra-competitive.”

Long got the better of Metzler in Idaho, winning the race by 5:23. Metzler had opened a 2:10 lead on Long after the swim but Long’s sensational bike split of 4:18:56 – 3:23 faster than anyone in the field and 10:06 faster than Metzler – put ‘The Big Unit’ in command.

Metzler managed to recover 3:14 on the run, but Long was in a league of his own, taking victory from Metzler and Portugal’s Pedro Gomes.

Metzler secured a first IRONMAN podium – and with it a ticket to the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii, a dream come true for the American affectionately named ‘Big Metz’.

Kona spot dream ticket for Justin

“I have done triathlon my whole life and watched IRONMAN Hawaii on TV every year as a kid,” explained Metzler.

“I always dreamed of that being my life and never really believed it was possible.

“I’ve spent 10 years of my life focussing on trying to be a good IRONMAN athlete – I think I just proved it to myself.

“I’m just amped, second place at IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene. I’m almost speechless. It means everything, it really does, I trained the house down the last two months and you trust that that means something, but you don’t know what it actually means until you get there, and you string it all together.

“Kona the big dance, the big show, what can I say?”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Sam Laidlow bike IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Laidlow and Skipper hail anti-drafting progress – but highlight bigger issues
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
Steve McKenna got the win at the 40th edition of IRONMAN New Zealand.
Star IRONMAN athlete clocks a sub-2:20 marathon – and says there’s more to come
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...