Saiyami Kher made history as the first Indian actress to complete the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Berlin. The gruelling race comprised a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run, all performed in order.
Reflecting on her achievement, Saiyami stated, “I didn’t realise anything during the race because I was so focused on the activities for eight hours straight.” After that time, the excitement set in because it was something I had always wanted to do.”
The 32-year-old actress, known for her love of marathons, has long wanted to compete in the Ironman race. Her intentions were delayed by COVID-19, but she ultimately met her goal this year. She discussed how difficult it was to juggle her 12- to 14-hour filming schedule with rigorous training. She started preparing in February and steadily increased her stamina.
“Initially, jogging 3 kilometres and swimming 50 metres would weary me. But I kept diligent and trained for six months. I’d get up at 3:30 a.m. to train before shooting.”
Kher emphasised that the triathlon challenged her physical endurance while also strengthening her mental resilience. “Sports help clear my mind and boost my confidence, which positively impacts my acting career,” she told me.
