This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Two former Port Elizabeth triathletes are being honoured at today's prize giving ceremony in Kona, Hawaii for stellar performances in Saturday's Ironman World Championships.
Kyle Buckingham flies home tomorrow to his base in Cape Town after making history by winning the men’s 30-34 age group in a new world record time for the category of 08:37:26.
He was also the first amateur athlete to cross the finish line, finishing in 16th place overall to be crowned amateur world champion.
Buckingham is now set to turn professional at the end of the year after a break-out 2013 season in which he was also 7th overall at IRONMAN South Africa in April and won his age category at the half IRONMAN World Champs in Las Vegas in September.
Pro athlete, James Cunnama, who also hails from Port Elizabeth, finished 4th, the highest position ever by a South African at Kona.
He was the only South African in the pro field and clocked a time of 08:21:46.
The men’s race was won by former IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa champion, Belgium’s Frederik van Lierde, in a time of 08:12:29.
