A feat destined to go down in the annals of Sardinian sport. Riccardo Cheri, 53, from Decimomannu, qualified for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii , marking a historic achievement for his career and for the entire CUS Cagliari triathlon sector.
At the IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna in Cervia, the triathlete outclassed the competition in a race with impressive numbers: approximately 3,000 athletes took part, 127 of whom were in his category alone (M55-59). Cheri crossed the finish line with an extraordinary overall time of 10 hours, 1 minute, and 53 seconds , winning his category and securing a world championship spot at the temple of international triathlon.
This is a first for the red and blue club led by the triathlon sector: no athlete has ever managed to secure a ticket to the legendary world final on the streets of the Hawaiian island.
A performance to remember, combining endurance, strategic race management, and daily dedication. "There's a lot of work in my life, there's family, the foundation of everything, and there's sport, triathlon, more demanding than ever," Cheri commented immediately after crossing the finish line.
A goal achieved meter after meter, between a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a final 42 km marathon , balancing work, personal commitments, and grueling training. Now for the Cussino representative and the community of Decimomannu, the dream is becoming a reality: the new destination is called Kailua-Kona.