https://arab.news/8d6sw
- The Togo athlete will attempt 100 triathlons in as many days while raising funds for children through sports, starting on Friday
DUBAI: UAE-based endurance athlete Ghani Souleymane is taking on his most formidable challenge to complete 100 full-distance T100 triathlons in 100 consecutive days, which would be a Guinness World Record.
Souleymane will begin his attempt on Aug. 8 at Kite Beach, Dubai, and conclude it on Nov. 16 at the T100 Race Village in the city.
The Togo national, who has lived in Dubai for eight years, will be raising funds for children through the Al-Jalila Foundation.
A deeply respected figure in the UAE’s sporting community, Souleymane has built a reputation for taking on big goals with a purpose.
“This challenge is bigger than sport,” he said.
“I know it will push me to my limits, but ultimately it’s about showing what’s possible when you commit fully. I want to use this first-of-its-kind challenge to help others, especially disadvantaged children.”
Each of the 100 consecutive triathlons will follow the T100 format, comprising a 2 km swim, 80 km cycle, and 18 km run. His attempt has the support of the Professional Triathletes Organisation.
The PTO are the organizers of the T100 Triathlon World Tour, which has already taken place in Singapore (April 5 to 6), San Francisco (May 31) and Vancouver (June 14 to 15).
The London edition of the T100 takes place from Aug. 9 to 10, just after Souleymane’s new challenge begins.
The 42-year-old is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of what the human body and mind can achieve.
Souleymane works at Dubai’s Adidas flagship store as a running specialist. He uses his high-profile sports platform to empower youth, advocate for mental resilience, and raise funds for humanitarian causes.
He supports the Dubai-based Heroes of Hope, a non-profit organization helping people of determination through sports, and the Al-Jalila Foundation.
In 2020, he was inducted into the Dubai Fitness Challenge Hall of Fame by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, for completing 30 ultramarathons in 30 days.
In 2021, he completed 30 consecutive 70.3 half-Ironman distances, and 30 full-Ironman contests in 2023.
“Sport has the power to shine a powerful light on many worthy causes in our society,” said Souleymane. “I believe each of us can make a difference, and every step, wheel spin or swim stroke of my attempts is undertaken to support others.”
The PTO’s CEO Sam Renouf said: “We did a double take when Ghani first got in touch and told us what he was thinking.”
“Doing 100 consecutive T100s is quite an undertaking. In total, it works out as a 200 km swim, 8,000 km bike and 1,800 km run. We think he’s brilliant and we wish him the very best of luck because he’s doing it for a fantastic cause.
“Ghani is showing what’s possible when someone puts their mind to it, which is very much our mindset with the T100 series, to showcase the best triathletes in the world racing head-to-head in iconic cities like Dubai, but also giving an opportunity for athletes of all abilities to get involved and have a go.”
The T100 Triathlon World Tour series blends elite performance with a commitment to amateur racing and building the global triathlon community.
The Dubai T100 Triathlon is in its second year and a key part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge’s month-long push to encourage everyone to do 30 minutes of activity for 30 days in November.
There are also opportunities to do a sprint triathlon (750 meter swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), a schools race and corporate duathlon relay.
“Sport gave me a second chance in life,” said Souleymane.
His enormous fueling requirements for the challenge — around 7,000 calories a day — are being sponsored by Dubai-based health food business SKitchen, and nutritionist Yuri Nemoto.
Leading entrepreneurs and philanthropists Vadym Synegin, Alexandr Ilyushin and Sasha Fetisova have joined hands with 1inch.io and Nicegram.app to ensure the athlete has the full kit required.
His requirements include running shoes, transportation, swimming gear and a Ventum triathlon bike, which has been customized with Souleymane’s own logo, designed by Dubai-based creative director Tabrez Ahmad.
“Now, with the support of people from all walks of life in Dubai, I can use my platform to give kids in the UAE and around the world their first chance.
“Every dirham raised will go towards causes that empower through sport. I also hope that through my challenge, others are inspired to make sport and movement part of their lifestyle.”