In Panaji, on November 9 (NationPress), Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the growing enthusiasm for fitness in India, highlighting the fifth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa as a significant milestone in the #FitIndia initiative. He took to his official X account to extend his congratulations to the numerous participants, especially acknowledging two prominent BJP youth leaders—Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Tamil Nadu BJP's K. Annamalai—for successfully completing this challenging triathlon.

“It’s wonderful to witness the rising involvement of our youth in events like Ironman 70.3, which took place in Goa today. Such competitions are vital for the #FitIndia movement. Congratulations to all participants, especially our young party members, Annamalai and Tejasvi Surya, for their achievements in the Ironman Triathlon,” PM Modi tweeted, tagging both leaders.

The tweet, shared at 3:17 PM IST, received more than 20,000 likes and 600 replies shortly after, highlighting PM Modi’s ongoing commitment to promoting holistic health since the inception of #FitIndia in 2019.

The event, inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at Miramar Beach, attracted over 1,300 athletes from 31 nations, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Participants dove into the Arabian Sea for a 1.9 km swim, cycled 90 km along Goa’s scenic coastal routes, and concluded with a grueling 21.1 km run, totaling 113 km under the scorching tropical sun.

Konstantin Belousov from Uzbekistan captured the men's elite title with an impressive time of 4:25:47, while the UK's Ellie Garrett won the women's category in 4:58:32. Among amateur athletes, a remarkable trio from India, seasoned IRONMAN competitors, finished with a time of 6:07:06, placing 140th overall.

Surya’s back-to-back victory—his second consecutive finish—established him as the first public official to earn the IRONMAN title twice at this event, completing the course in approximately 6:30 hours based on previous performances.

“A strong finish to my second Ironman 70.3, particularly special as I accomplished it alongside my beloved brother @annamalai_k,” Surya tweeted after the race, attributing his success to PM Modi’s vision that has inspired “a new wave of health and discipline.”

Annamalai, who is 40 years old, became only the second Indian politician to achieve this honor, showcasing exceptional resilience after rigorous training while managing party responsibilities.

Race Director Deepak Raj praised the event's growth: “From 62 nations participating over five editions, Goa's IRONMAN has now become Asia's premier half-distance event.”

Event ambassador and actress Saiyami Kher shared similar sentiments, emphasizing how such competitions blend adventure with community spirit. PM Modi's endorsement enhances the reach of #FitIndia, merging elite endurance with grassroots yoga initiatives. As participants donned their finisher jackets amid enthusiastic cheers, the Goa event reinforced India's narrative of global fitness—one pedal stroke at a time.