ST. GEORGE — Rajesh Durbal competed in and finished the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 6 hours, 29 minutes, 16 seconds.
Finishing is an accomplishment, but in the case of Durbal, completing the 1.25-mile swim, 56-mile bicycle segment and 13.1-mile half marathon, it likely has even greater meaning.
Durbal, a triple amputee, was born with a congenital defect, leaving one arm partially developed and without fibulas in both his legs requiring amputation below the knees when he was 1 year old, Rajesh has not let that stop him from competing in triathlons, traveling the world and inspiring millions of people, according to a news release from the Ironman organization.
With a swim of 40:09, a bike of 3:24:30 and a run of 2:10:13, Rajesh’s performance on Saturda in St. George resulted in the third fastest time of those competing in the Physically Challenged division.
In 2010, Rajesh, who lives in Palm Coast, Florida, became the first triple-amputee to compete in and finish the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, doing so again in 2011. He also completed the 70.3 event in St. George in 2021.
Additionally, in 2021, Rajesh ascended the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of athletes and para-athletes. His foundation, Live Free, conducts events and seminars which have trained more than 500,000 people in 16 different countries to achieve their full potential and experience life at the highest level possible, the news release said.
He also holds a provisional patent in prosthetic quick-connect components to improve mobility and decrease limitations for amputees.
In all, Rajesh has officially finished two Ironman triathlons and six Ironman 70.3 triathlons.
Click here for more information about the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.