The South African pushed a strong pace, finishing 10th in the world and vowing to “wear my heart (& South Africa) on my sleeve.”
Nice, France (16 September 2025) – South Africa’s Jamie Riddle made his mark at the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France, finishing inside the world’s Top 10 in his very first attempt.
Have you ever imagined taking on a 3.8km swim, then hopping on a bike for about 180km, only to finish with a full 42.2km marathon? That is exactly what the 24-year-old Jamie Riddle faced in his IRONMAN debut. He showed his fearless racing style from the start. In the Mediterranean swim, he pushed the pace at the front, even rolling onto his back at one stage to take in the scene.
He kept the momentum on the tough bike leg through the Alpes-Maritimes, before battling through the marathon run to cross the line in 8:15:00. His split times (45:15 swim, 4:37:21 bike, 2:47:35 run) reflected a performance built on courage.
Sharing his feelings afterwards on Instagram, Riddle kept it simple but powerful:
“10th in the world. From gun to tape, I will forever wear my heart (& South Africa) on my sleeve. I’m on my way.”
It was a message that summed up his day. All from the pride in representing South Africa, gratitude for the journey so far, and excitement for what lies ahead.
For a young athlete making his debut at this level, the result was more than just a Top 10 finish. It was proof that he belongs among the best in the world.
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