A Balham man has proven himself worthy of the ironman tag, in more ways than one.
Tej Thaker ignored doctor’s orders to take on the Mallorca Ironman Challenge last month.
The 27-year-old’s training had been interrupted earlier this year by a bout of glandular fever, and his doctor advised against attempting to complete a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle ride and marathon.
However, Thaker clocked 14 hours 59 minutes 38 seconds to defy the nay-sayers and break the 17 hours needed to be named an ironman.
Hard as nails: Tej Thaker, in the green top, keeps on going in the marathon despite crippling injuries
He said: “It was a great feeling to finally cross the line, hearing the words ‘Tej Thaker, you are an ironman’ was utterly overwhelming.
“I had literally invested days into training, so to actually cross the line, despite having glandular fever, was great.”
Despite the glandular fever, Thaker was closest to quitting due to an injury picked up on the day.
“When I was cycling, I felt my knee begin to lock.
“It was excruciatingly painful,” he said.
“After I had been running for what seemed to be hours, I was only 1km into the marathon.”
He added: “I had to get medical attention at each available point, I was so close to quitting.
“I knew deep down I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did, so I had to battle on through.
“It was so nice to finally reach the finish line.”
To sponsor Thaker go to justgiving.com/tej thaker.
For all the latest sporting news, following @YLGSport on Twitter
Make sure you come back: Thaker heads out for the 2.4-mile swim
Raising funds: Tej Thaker under the Mallorca sunshine
And rest......
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