The German professional triathlete Anne Reischmann is competing in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii with offspring in her belly.
While the 33-year-old jumped into the water at Kailua Pier, her husband Joel announced the “wonderful surprise” in a joint Instagram post almost at the same time. Her journey to Kona “took an unexpected turn. During my preparation for the World Championships, I found out that I was pregnant,” she announced.
According to Sportschau, the Ravensburg native is already in the 13th week of pregnancy. “As you can imagine, my plans and goals for Kona have suddenly changed,” Reischmann continued: “Fortunately, I feel good and strong most days and have continued my training. I’m not in top shape, but together with my team and my doctor I have decided to take part in the World Championships.”
In her best condition, she would have been a candidate for the top ten over the 3.86 kilometer swim, 180 kilometer cycle and 42.195 kilometer run. But given the pregnancy, “it is not a race for her, I will not be aiming for Ironman Pro Series points or a placement and I will not compete with my usual ambition and determination,” explained Reischmann. And she will immediately drop out of the race “if I feel unwell”.
She takes the World Championships on the Big Island “as an event that I have dreamed of taking part in for years and I am so happy that I can do it,” said the triathlete. Numerous family members made the trip because of the special moment. Reischmann came fourth at the Ironman European Championships in Hamburg in June and won the Ironman South Africa in March.