“Malaysian Dad, 61, Goes Viral After Completing 225KM Triathlon in 15 Hours – Inspires Netizens with His Determination”

Source: SAYS

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A 61-year-old Malaysian man has captured the hearts of netizens after his impressive feat of completing the IRONMAN triathlon in Langkawi, Kedah. Tajudin Mustaffa, who has been involved in endurance sports since 1983, went viral after his son, Hakiem Tajudin, posted a TikTok video showcasing his father’s incredible journey through the triathlon.

The IRONMAN race, held on 14 October, involved a gruelling 225km of swimming, cycling, and running. Tajudin, nicknamed ‘TriHulk,’ began his race with a 3.9km swim at Pantai Kok, followed by a 180km bike ride around the island, and concluded with a demanding 42km marathon, finishing the race in just 15 hours and 54 minutes.

Hakiem, proud of his father’s achievement, captured the final stretch of the race, where he joined his father for the last 3km. In the TikTok video, which has now garnered over 1.1 million views, Hakiem wrote, “If there’s one thing I learnt from you, it’s to never give up on achieving your dreams. Age is indeed just a number.”

Contrary to speculation from netizens that Tajudin was a former soldier, Hakiem clarified that his father was actually a bank employee with a passion for maintaining his health. Tajudin himself shared that he has been active in various endurance events, including marathons, Spartan races, swimathons, and triathlons since the 80s.

Tajudin, who first took up triathlons in 2007, has also completed 13 swimathons, notably swimming the 6.5km distance from Pulau Kapas to Marang multiple times. He credits his fitness to a combination of weight training and cardio, including cycling, running, and swimming.

Many TikTok users were inspired by Tajudin’s dedication, with some even comparing him to Japanese mixed martial artist Yoshihiro Akiyama, who is also known for his impressive physique at an older age. Tajudin’s story is a testament to his incredible determination and serves as an inspiring reminder that age is truly just a number when it comes to achieving one’s dreams.