Hirotsugu Kuwabara, A Brand New Pro

Fran Arfaras Profiles 2009 Men's 25-29 Age Group Champion Hirotsugu Kuwabara, Okinawa, Japan.

The 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship was the high point of Hirotsugu Kuwabara's triathlon career. "I have never been so excited after a race before," he said of his Kona debut. "I was able to do my best in the highest stage and was very happy."

Kuwabara became interested in triathlon while at university and completed his first race in 2000. His interest grew when triathlon was added to the Olympics. Kuwabara has completed the Honolulu Marathon, and Ironman Malaysia a number of times, claiming the top spot in the 25-29 age group in 2008 and 2009, and finishing 11th overall in 2009 in 9:03:22.

His interest in sports tends to lean toward activities that are fast-paced, physical and challenging, like volleyball, his other sport of choice. For his training for Kona, Kuwabara concentrated on making sure he had a smooth, fast transition from the bike to the run – where he feels he is the strongest when it comes to triathlon racing.

Kuwabara’s coach and team mates were in Kona with him for his big win. With no set target time for the race, his 9:07:41 was perfect. He had worked hard on his training and was not surprised that he won.

And we should not be surprised to learn that he is turning pro and has already completed the 2010 Lotto Ironman Langkawi Malaysia, where he finished sixth, in 9:17:26.

He’s off to a good start for an excellent year and another fine race day in Kona.

You can reach Fran Arfaras at farfaras@ironman.com.