The inaugural Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Asian Open in  Singapore will feature at least two Olympic champions after Singapore’s own Joseph Schooling – Rio  2016 100m butterfly champion – announced his participation in the 100km ‘experienced amateur’  triathlon race as part of a relay team on Instagram today. PTO World #1 and Tokyo 2020 gold medallist  Kristian Blummenfelt has already signed up and is targeting victory in the professional race when he  embarks on a whirlwind trip of three races across two continents in ten days next month.  

The Singapore leg from 19 to 20 August is the PTO Tour’s first stop in Asia and will see winners take  home US$100,000. The 100km race for professionals and experienced amateurs – comprising a 2km  swim, 80km bike and 18km run – will take place in the Marina Bay area against the backdrop of the  iconic Singapore skyline. 

The PTO has also unveiled the final 100km course details, including a 16km circuit for the bike leg which  starts and finishes at the Bayfront Event Space and takes athletes up the famous Sheares Bridge to give  awe-inspiring views of the city. For more information on the course, visit https://protriathletes.org/events/pto-tour/asian-open/age-group.

In the experienced amateur category, Schooling will be joined by past and present national athletes  across various sports, including marathoners Ashley Liew, Jasmine Goh and Yvonne Chee as well as  recently retired national cyclists Luo Yiwei, Calvin Sim and Goh Choon Huat, in the team relay event. A  string of current athletes including Luke Tan (open water swimming), Nicholas Rachmadi (triathlon) and  Shermaine Tung (modern pentathlon) will also participate in what is set to be a spectacular weekend on  home soil.  

The full list of Singapore athletes taking part in the relay can be found below. 

Team Singapore athletes look forward to unique race at home 

2017 and 2021 SEA Games marathoner Jasmine Goh is looking forward to being part of the PTO Tour  weekend and running past landmarks like Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Barrage. The elite runner  said: “The Pto Asian Open weekend in Singapore will be a festival of multisport activity, so the  opportunity to get involved and compete in the 100km triathlon relay was one I leapt at. Taking part in  any event at home is always special to me and I’m excited to be part of this relay team with my fellow  Team Singapore athletes. This will be a good chance for me to learn from them and meet people who  enjoy working out to keep fit.”

Cyclist Calvin Sim, 33, may have recently hung up his competitive gear, but he remains eager to feel the  thrill of racing. The 2017 SEA Games men’s omnium gold medallist will draw on his vast experience of  competing in five SEA Games since 2009 to give his all on the road again. 

He said: “It’s going to be a fun experience racing in the city again and I’m especially looking forward to  the climb up the Sheares Bridge as an added challenge. I’m having fun preparing for the race and I’m  sure it will be a memorable event for all participants.” 

Blummenfelt: “I wouldn’t travel if I didn’t think it was possible to go and win the race” 

Meanwhile, Kristian Blummenfelt will race in an Olympic test event in Paris on 18 August, followed by  the US$600,000 PTO Asian Open in Singapore two days later before he returns to Europe for the  Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Finland on 27 August. 

The Norwegian, 29, said: “I wouldn’t travel to Singapore if I didn’t think it was possible to go and win the  race. I want to race the best athletes, when the prize fund is high and it’s all on the line. That is exactly  what it’s like in a PTO Tour race, so the PTO Asian Open is another great opportunity for me to perform  and as I’ve said many times before, I love to win and I hate to lose.” 

The reigning Olympic champion will arrive in Singapore looking to add to a bulging trophy cabinet which  already includes gold medals from the World Triathlon Championship Series, the 2021 Ironman World  Championships and 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Besides seeking his first PTO Tour title,  Blummenfelt is also excited to visit Singapore for the first time, highlighting that the swim and bike legs  will be ‘very special experiences’. 

He said: “I’ve never been to Singapore before, but I imagine it’s going to be tough, for sure. I would have  arrived there only one day before the race. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t be ready to race or able  to take in what I’ve heard is an amazing city. Swimming in Marina Bay, cycling across the Sheares Bridge  and seeing the Merlion will all be very special experiences. I also hope to visit the Marina Bay Sands  infinity pool.” 

A variety of distances to choose from 

Alongside the 100km triathlons for professionals and experienced amateurs, the PTO is also hosting two  duathlon races over a standard 4.5km Run/32km Bike/4.5km Run and a longer 9km Run/64km Bike/9km  Run as well as heralding the return of The Music Run -– the signature 5km fun run that encourages  everyone to have a go while listening to their favourite hits. 

More fitness enthusiasts can find themselves racing alongside their local sporting heroes as organisers  have added 100 more slots for the 100km triathlon for experienced amateurs. For more information or  to sign up for the triathlon or duathlon, visit https://protriathletes.org/events. To sign up for The Music  Run, visit https://themusicrun.com.sg. 

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