Sports
Kerala High Court Judge Finishes Ironman 70.3 Goa in 8 Hours 46 Minutes
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, 57, completed the Ironman 70.3 Goa triathlon in the Males 55‑59 age category in 8 hours, 46 minutes and 44 seconds. The event, held on Sunday, required a 1.9‑km swim, a 90‑km bike ride and a 21.1‑km run. Thomas, a judge in the Kerala High Court, first learned of the race two years ago when his son competed in it. He said his son’s training inspired him to pursue the Ironman. "I have always been interested in sports. But after becoming a judge, I lost out on the health front. Sitting 16‑18 hours a day was actually taking a toll on my health," he told The Indian Express.
Thomas cited a recent shuttle cricket tournament for judges, where he won singles and doubles, as a confidence boost that he could compete in the Ironman. He began training on April 21, a few days after his son’s wedding, and initially swam only 50 metres. He trained 3‑4 days a week, often early in the morning or late at night, and cut back on social functions to focus on training. He also used a cycle inside his house for practice.
He has a history of injuries, including a meniscus tear surgery a decade ago, two meniscus tears last year, an Achilles tendon rupture, a varicose vein, and a calf muscle tear during training that required rest. Doctors advised knee surgery, but he chose to continue training, believing the body would adapt. He also experienced a shoulder muscle tear a month before the race.
Despite these setbacks, Thomas persisted. He considered withdrawing a week before the event after a painful swim but decided to try again. "I told my family if the pain comes back, I will stop swimming wherever I am, and will just float and come back," he said.
He aimed to finish in 8 hours, 29 minutes and 59 seconds but finished 16 minutes slower. He attributed the extra time to transitions between swim, bike and run. "I should have been a little wary about transitions," he said. "As a first‑time participant, I just wanted to complete it. I was not looking for any podium finish. I wanted to just complete it for my own satisfaction."
Thomas also changed his diet for the race, limiting himself to four eggs in the morning, two chapatis and chicken for lunch, and an early protein‑only dinner. Over the past year, his weight dropped from 97 kg to 86 kg.
The Ironman 70.3 Goa is a triathlon endurance race that involves a 1.9‑km swim, a 90‑km cycling ride, and a 21.1‑km run.
Frequently asked questions
What was Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas's finishing time in the Ironman 70.3 Goa triathlon?
He finished in 8 hours, 46 minutes and 44 seconds.
What injuries did Thomas overcome before the race?
He had a meniscus tear surgery a decade ago, two meniscus tears last year, an Achilles tendon rupture, a varicose vein, a calf muscle tear during training, and a shoulder muscle tear a month before the race.
How did Thomas prepare his diet for the race?
He limited himself to four eggs in the morning, two chapatis and chicken for lunch, and an early protein‑only dinner, and lost weight from 97 kg to 86 kg over the past year.