Kota Kinabalu: National triathlete Yatim Zainal Abidin (pic) will kick-start the new season by competing at the Labuan Team Time Trial competition held in conjunction with Federal Territory Day on February 27.
This will be his first competition since his disappointing maiden appearance at the Challenge-family The Championship in Samorin, Slovakia in last August.
He said on Monday that the Labuan meet is part of his preparation before competing at the VNG Ironman 70.3 Vietnam triathlon scheduled to be staged at Da Nang Hai Chau District on May 8, where he aims to qualify for the Challenge-family The Championship in Samorin, Slovakia again later this year.
“It is a team competition in Labuan and it will serve as a warm- up gig for me before the competition in Vietnam.
“As I had mentioned earlier, my main target this year is to qualify for the Challenge-family The Championship in Slovakia.
“By competing in Labuan, it will allow me to build up my momentum before giving my best in Vietnam to ensure that I stand a chance to make the cut again,” he said.
The 47-year-old also said he started preparations three months ago and is pleased with his progress.
“I started my training three months ago and so far, all three disciplines are going well.
“My weekly training routine for swimming is twice in the pool and one in the open sea, four to five times cycling sessions, and for running is twice on the road as well as on the track in addition to one session beach run,” he added.
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