For Kaustubh Radkar, the man who bagged the World Ironman Triathlon title in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on March 29, winning is more than an obsession. The first Asian (among the only four such people in the world) to complete the Ironman Triathlon in six continents, the elated Pune athlete says, “Winning this race was important because I want to be part of an elite group which no Indian has ever made to.” With 11 titles to his credit, Radkar is just one victory away from making it to this league.
The World Ironman Triathlon, organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), tests an athlete’s endurance with a 3.86 km swim, 180.25 km bicycle ride and a 42.2 km run. Radkar completed the task in 13 hours, 32 minutes and 14 seconds. “Muscle pain, stomach cramps and soreness take a backseat when your mind is set on the finishing line,” says the 32-year-old whose performance at Port Elizabeth was not free from hiccups. He was vomiting due to rough sea winds and his bike chain came apart. Radkar’s next target is winning a race in Zurich in July this year. “A win there is a gateway to the World Championship,” which he plans to enter by 2017.
Born and brought up in Pune, this doctor in sports medicine had his eyes on this goal since the very beginning. He became a national swimming champion when he had just entered his teens.
“I left my house by 5.30 every morning to exercise. School started at 7am,” he says. The habit of starting early hasn’t left Radkar. His day starts even before the neighbourhood rooster. After finishing college from BMCC, Pune, Radkar decided to move to the US for further studies. He chose exercise science as his subject before completing an MSc in cardiovascular physiology from Wisconsin College in 2004.
“My college friends asked me to take part in the triathlon event. I was already good at swimming and running, the only thing I had to work on was cycling,” says Radkar.
Six months of hard work and patience helped him comfortably finish his first triathlon event in 2008 in Arizona. Sharing the experience of his first race, he says, “A simple turn of events teaches you a lot. In an event where you are not allowed external help, I fixed a flat tyre all by myself. It took me hardly six-seven minutes, but it felt like forever.” This, he claims, was his first big lesson on patience.
Behind the scenes
So what goes into the making of an Ironman? Hours of practice, willpower and a strict diet. Radkar says, “In a day, I focus on two of the three things: swimming, running or cycling.” He also hits the gym twice or thrice a week. When it comes to diet, the 5’ 9” athlete packs it with meats and salads. He allows himself a cheat meal only once a week, happy to maintain a weight of just 67kg.
CEO and founder of RadRx, a healthcare company, Radkar’s work leaves him with little spare time. He tries to squeeze out time for reading. Books are as important to him as fridge magnets, something he never fails to bring home from his travels.
For advice and inspiration, Radkar looks up to Rick Armiger, a friend from the US with 21 Ironman titles under his belt. “Rick’s disciplined life is what I look up to,” he says. Armiger’s life changed after he lost his newborn son to heart complications in 1996. His obsession with the triathlon makes him an inspirational figure for fans and friends alike. Monica Moreno, another friend from the US, has taught Radkar the importance of being calm and positive. The mention of the family — parents and a sister — comes right after. “Where would I be without them?” he asks.
(Ekta Katti is a Pune-based journalist)