Brutal! That’s a word that often comes to mind when talking about the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Even after nearly 50 years of history, this legendary triathlon keeps throwing fresh challenges at athletes, leaving them guessing until the last minute. Sure, they know they’ll be swimming, biking, and running a marathon, but it’s the unpredictable conditions and tricky routes that turn this race into something of a nightmare for even the most seasoned competitors. And let’s not forget about Kona—the breathtaking yet brutal venue that adds a whole new level of intensity to the challenge!

Over the years, Kona has become known as the jellyfish paradise! These ocean creatures have made the waters their cozy home, and their reign shows no signs of letting up. But every now and then, they decide to throw a little curveball, turning the athletes’ route into a real endurance test. This year was no exception, as the jellyfish put on a show, reminding everyone that even in paradise, there are challenges lurking beneath the surface!

This time, Kona held the reins of hosting the Ironman World Championships. However, all went with the flow, except for a few incidents. On October 26, several athletes reported being stung by jellyfish during the rough-water swim. The incidents occurred at the initial stage of the race, causing considerable pain and fear among the athletes. However, from the pack, two have complained about facing the bitter experience. 

Menno Koolhaas, one of those two unfortunate athletes, faced an enormous blow because of the jellyfish. After the race, the Dutch athlete mentioned his nightmarish experience. There, he even said, “My heart was pumping like crazy and I thought I’m maybe gonna die or something,” while narrating his situation after being stung by a jellyfish. Even the harrowed experience once made him doubt his own fitness, questioning his immunity power.

In the post-race press conference, Koolhaas went deeper, opening up on the sensation he felt after facing the nemesis from the seawater. “It started really bad…and it was really, really painful.” Koolhaas took his time to reflect on that nightmare. Yet, in the end, he made it to the top five of the Ironman World Championships, as the first Dutch to finish his race with such a rank in Kona. That’s called a comeback! However, Koolhaas didn’t take much time to gain his senses after experiencing the bite. His swift recovery kept him at the forefront while many lagged because of the concerted attack of marine animals. The other one of the two fell into that group. 

Ironman World Championships end with lots of questions 

While Menno Koolhaas gained his senses after going through the sensation because of the jellyfish attack, someone decided to give up. On October 26, Matt Burton, the Australian triathlete, had the same bad luck in the Ironman World Championships. He also felt utter pain because of the bite of a jellyfish.

But unlike Koolhaas, he failed to continue the race after the rough water swim. In fact, he had to give up during the bike race. Medical attention had called him back. And after a quick check, the medics confirmed the Australian star having an “anaphylactic reaction.” Blame goes to the bite of a jellyfish. Later, Burton shared his story on his Instagram post. 

In a minute-long snippet, Matt Burton looked worn out and covered in bite marks. According to him, he caught all of those during his swim at the Ironman World Championships. He described the suffering as “a bit more pain” than he’s ever felt before—a statement that definitely sends shockwaves through the community from a battle-hardened athlete like him.

But don’t count him out just yet; Burton confirmed he’d be back in the sport soon! Still, some lingering questions are making the rounds, especially about why Kona was chosen for this year’s race during the “high probability” jellyfish season. So far, there’s been no word shedding light on that puzzling situation!