Weiss at the Ironman World Championship

“Honestly: I’m ignoring my age”

Michael Weiss starts the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii for the eleventh time on Saturday.(Bild: @rodpix)

Michael Weiss has already won eight long-distance Ironman races, and on Saturday the man from Gumpoldskirchen will be chasing number 9 - at the famous World Championships in Hawaii, of all places. And at the age of 43. And in the midst of a monstrous race program.

Weiss landed in Hawaii four weeks ago, his wife and two young daughters have joined him. But it's not a vacation. "I'm approaching it professionally and seriously," reveals the former European mountain bike champion, "but I couldn't be away from my family for nine weeks at a time. And I don't know if it will be my last time in Hawaii - as an athlete." After all, Weiss is now also a sought-after coach. "But I will certainly try to qualify again."

Six years ago, Michael Weiss finished tenth at the World Championships.(Bild: @rodpix)

On Saturday, however, his main focus will be on his eleventh attempt in Hawaii, where 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling and a marathon await. "The top 10 is always the goal," reveals Michi. In 2018, he achieved this with 10th place, twice he was 13th and twice 16th. But my cycling form is great, in Chattanooga I cycled at an average of 350 watts, which is a new record for me. And I'm trying to run the marathon in 2:50 hours again."

At 43, Michael Weiss is in top form, completing a monster program.(Bild: @rodpix)

Sounds incredible at 43. "To be honest: I ignore my age," explains Weiss. And his abdominal muscles underline this. "My ace up my sleeve is the routine." And regeneration? "That's not a problem for me at all. There are people ten years younger who wet their pants if they do two Ironman a year - and I do five." After Hawaii, the Ironman Cozumel is still on the schedule, then it's three within eight weeks...