“During the last 15km, I felt dizzy and my face and hands were numb,” recalled Miao Hao, China’s first professional triathlete. Exhausted at the last 200m at the IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship held in Germany on June 2, Miao collapsed near the finish line, crawling his way across it.
6月2日的IRONMAN德国汉堡铁人三项欧锦赛上，冲线的最后瞬间，体力不支的苗浩摔倒在地，随后爬着到达终点。 图源：ECO互娱
As a super tough race with multiple sports, the Ironman Triathlon includes a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.195km marathon.
As a former military triathlete, Miao represented the national team before retiring in 2018. The government offered him a job as a civil servant. But Miao chose to pursue a career as a professional triathlete, giving up the stability of the former.
Going from a national team athlete to a professional has presented significant challenges for Miao. “In the national team, I had comprehensive support and was solely an athlete. Now, I am also a husband and a father, shouldering family responsibilities like dropping my son off at primary school before starting my training,” he noted. Miao also faces financial pressure due to managing his own coaching, physiotherapists, nutritionists and support staff.
6月2日的IRONMAN德国汉堡铁人三项欧锦赛上，苗浩在进行最后的全马比赛。 图源：ECO互娱
As the first professional triathlete in China, Miao is exploring future options for professional athletes. “To boost triathlon in China and prepare for future Olympics, we need teamwork from various sectors, including more youth training and business sponsorship,” he said.
“I hope more Chinese triathletes will compete in the Olympics and stand on more podiums,” said Miao.
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