At the age of 19, Ann Pow Chia Ling dabbled into the sport of running and quickly started doing marathons. Not satisfied with doing just a single sport, Ann then bought a bicycle two years later to get into triathlon.

Add another three more years – and still at a tender age of 24, this student from Melaka ranked third in her age group at IRONMAN Langkawi 70.3 and has qualified for this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand.

Alas, the World Championship this year has been cancelled, and participants need to choose between 2021 edition in Utah, USA, or 2022 in Taupo, New Zealand. For Ann, she would like keep her original Taupo “date” as New Zealand is in her bucket list and the course looks more scenic and enjoyable for her.

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As the new race date is still a good two years away, and with Malaysia’s RMCO still in lace, Ann has been using this period to maintain her fitness, make improvements and work on her weaknesses.

Among local races, she enjoys the one in Port Dickson as it is where she would meet her triathlete friends and step up to the challenges of the rolling bike course. The 70.3 distance has been the longest one for her thus far, and her podium finish at the IRONMAN Langkawi 70.3 counts as her proudest moment in triathlon yet.

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Now based in Kuala Lumpur, this young lass was planning to attempt her first full IRONMAN distance this year but the race got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore she will have to postpone her plans till next year.

Ann said,”My most favourite part of racing is definitely the last mile before the finish. Your body is running at its absolute max, and the euphoric rush at the finish. It’s pretty freaking awesome!”