Schoeman eyes 2nd IM 70.3 Lapu-Lapu crown

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman returns to the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu presented by Megaworld next month determined to prove that his breakthrough victory was no one-off.

After capturing the title in his race debut in 2024, the South African sat out last year’s edition but is back, seeking a second championship against what is arguably the strongest international professional field ever assembled for the country’s premier middle-distance triathlon.

Schoeman’s commanding wire-to-wire triumph in 2024 established him as one of the event’s standout champions. This year, however, the 34-year-old faces an even sterner challenge on a course renowned not only for its world-class setting but also for its punishing heat, humidity and demanding terrain.

He won the grueling 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run in four hours, two minutes and 31 seconds, besting New Zealand’s Sam Osborne (4:06:40), and Britain’s Tom Bishop (4:11:01).