Zsombor Deak wins the IronMan Full Distance in Oradea

Zsombor Deak has emerged victorious in the IronMan Full Distance competition held in Oradea, completing the grueling race in an impressive time of 8 hours, 27 minutes, and 7 seconds. This event is notable as the only Ironman competition in Romania, showcasing the dedication and skill of its participants.

Finishing in second place was Alexandru Bălan, who clocked in at 8 hours, 39 minutes, and 46 seconds. Szabolcs Kovacs secured third place with a time of 8 hours, 57 minutes, and 19 seconds. The Full Ironman distance consists of a challenging 3,800 meters of swimming, 180 kilometers of cycling, and 41.5 kilometers of running, pushing competitors to their limits.

Zsombor Deak, who has been training for over 15 years and competing at a professional level for more than a decade, described the competition as 'hard, but beautiful.' He emphasized the importance of sports in leading a healthy and balanced life, stating, 'Without sports, it is not good. Sports are essential for a healthy and balanced life.'

In the Half Distance IronMan category, Anna Szabo triumphed in the women's event with a remarkable finish of 5 hours, 15 minutes, and 53 seconds. Rounding out the women's podium were Adel Koter, who finished in 5 hours, 23 minutes, and 54 seconds. Meanwhile, Andrei Vrabii dominated the men's Half Distance, finishing in 4 hours, 8 minutes, and 8 seconds, followed closely by Oliver Zsebe and Tamas Szabo.

Alexandru Bălan, aged 39, expressed his fondness for the Oradea competition, having won last year's edition. He trains approximately 20-25 hours a week and plans to participate in an international Ironman event, with the World Championship in Kona scheduled for next year. He praised the organization of the event and the welcoming nature of the city.

Looking ahead, the AROBS X-Man Romania 2026 will gather around 800 competitors, featuring team events and X-Run races over 10 km and 21 km distances, organized by ACS Xterra Sport Bihor in partnership with the Romanian Triathlon Federation. This continuing commitment to triathlon in Romania is set to inspire a new generation of athletes.