Islamabad:
Sana Arif, who was a pioneer in the presence of Pakistan in the international triathlon, has made everyone proud of his skill in athletics.
Many describe their trip as a triathlete as a remarkable story of strength, courage and pride.
Born in Kuwait and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Sana returned to Kuwait in 2007, carrying her passion for sports.
From childhood, sports played an essential role in their life. Even so, becoming a triathlete was never his initial goal.
His inspiration hit after listening to the story of an American athlete. He honored his deceased friends by completing an Ironman career. This moving story left a lasting impression in healthy.
However, even then, swimming raised a significant barrier. He had never swam in open waters, much less a pool. Fear stopped her.
In 2021, Sana took the brave step to learn to swim. His sisters joined her, adding motivation and fun to this new experience. Friends also played an essential role, encouraging their step by step, according to healthy.
With his support, Sana exceeded his fear of deep waters. Surprisingly, in two years, he completed his first Ironman 70.3 event in Türkiye. Ironman 70.3 is a hard resistance race. The athletes swim 1.9 kilometers, cycle 90 kilometers and end up running 21.1 kilometers.
It demands physical strength, mental strength and a disciplined routine. Healthy preparation involved intense training every day. He often woke up at 4 in the morning to train before Kuwait’s extreme summer heat put on.
Temperatures frequently crossed 50 degrees Celsius, making outdoor training especially challenging. Healthy attributes the unwavering support of his family for his achievements. His parents and brothers provided emotional strength, even in the midst of their concerns about their safety.
This family bond was crucial during difficult times. Representing Pakistan in international events brings healthy pride to healthy.
It also brings unique challenges. Without much national support for triathlon, he often feels alone during competitions.
Despite this isolation, it feeds its motivation. He sees herself as proof that Pakistan can excel in resistance sports. Financial challenges in triathlon are significant.
The team, travel and training expenses are added quickly. Sana expects the Pakistani government and local sponsors to provide more support.
This support would open doors for talented athletes that cannot pay this expensive sport. A greater investment could transform the presence of Pakistan into the global triathlon competitions.
Discipline, says healthy, is the most vital aspect of becoming a successful triathlete. She emphasizes that triathlon is not just physical. It also demands mental strength.
Balance intense training with family and professional responsibilities is difficult. However, Sana finds immense compliance in overcoming these daily challenges.
For women and young athletes interested in triathlon, healthy has simple but powerful advice: it starts small but remains constant. She emphasizes that having support is crucial.
