Ahmed Zachariah Faizal, (Zach) a UAE-based Indian athlete, displayed an exceptional performance in the recent Ironman 70.3 triathlon race held in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. The grueling event, organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), encompasses a challenging course comprising a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run, totaling a distance of 70.3 miles (113.0 km).
Preparation and dedication were the keys to Zach's success, as he meticulously trained for over six months to participate in this prestigious event. His commitment and perseverance paid off, as he completed the race with an impressive finish time of 6 hours and 22 minutes. The time needed by an athlete to complete a 70.3 distance event varies from race to race and can be influenced by external factors such as the terrain and the total elevation gained and lost on the course, weather conditions, and course conditions. Finish times range from sub-four-hour completion times by elite-level athletes to the imposed race cut-off, which is commonly 8 hours and 30 minutes after the start time.
Ahmed Zachariah Faizal is the son of Faizal Kottikollon and Shabana Faizal, a well-known Indian entrepreneur couple based in the UAE. The couple is not only known for their business endeavors but also for their philanthropic contributions.
Shabana hails from Mangaluru in the Karnataka state of India. She is the only daughter of prominent businessman and socio-religious leader Late B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen who founded the prestigious BA Group of Businesses in Thumbay near Mangaluru.
Zach, an alumnus of the University of Surrey in London, UK, where he completed his Mechanical Engineering degree, has established PEEC Mobility. PEEC Mobility is a company that takes a creative approach to electric mobility, focusing on repurposing retired vehicles as an alternative to manufacturing new electric vehicles (EVs). Their mission is to accelerate the green transition by designing and manufacturing the petrol-to-electric transition, with a particular emphasis on repurposing large-scale fleets worldwide to achieve financial viability and make a substantial positive impact on the environment.
The Ironman 70.3 race in Rapperswil-Jona witnessed the participation of approximately 3,000 athletes from various countries worldwide. Among them, Ahmed Zachariah Faizal stood out as one of the three Indian participants. Notably, a significant proportion of the athletes were in their 40s and above, with 20% of the participants being over 60 years old.
Ahmed with his father Faizal Kottikollon
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Ghaziabad (PTI): Controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand Giri has been booked for allegedly spreading hate and abusing top police officers of the district in a video, officials said on Saturday.
According to an FIR lodged here, the priest of the Dasna Devi Temple has been accused of making derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and using words intended to incite religious sentiments, cause criminal intimidation, insult, defame, and disturb public peace.
The complainant also alleged that Narsinghanand used abusive language against the Ghaziabad police commissioner and the assistant police commissioner of Loni in a video.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari said the complaint lodged at the Wave police station on Friday alleged that Narsinghanand's statements were designed to provoke and disrupt communal harmony.
Investigation into the matter was underway, the officer added.