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Imti Longchar
Dimapur | November 20
Nagaland has added another milestone to its endurance sport landscape with 30-year-old Zevor Vüprü becoming the State’s second Ironman 70.3 finisher at the 2025 edition of Ironman 70.3 Goa. His achievement comes two years after Dimapur-based wedding photographer John Monsang became the first Naga to complete the event.
Ironman 70.3, organised by the World Triathlon Corporation, is regarded as one of the most demanding single-day events in global sport. The race comprises a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycling and a 21.1 km run. This year’s edition saw more than 1,300 athletes from 31 countries taking part. Vüprü finished 124th overall, securing the finisher’s medal.
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Zevor Vüprü: Starting from Zero
Vüprü, who began training only in April 2025, said he entered the sport with “no formal athletic background” and described his journey as one that “started from zero.” “I played badminton casually until an ankle surgery stopped everything. My endurance journey began only this year. Ironman 70.3 was my first structured training experience,” he said.
The Dimapur-based athlete registered for the race soon after completing a 50-km ultramarathon in January, saying he wanted “a bigger challenge.” “I didn’t know how to swim when I signed up,” he said. “I wanted to learn something completely new and see how far discipline could take me.”
Training in Nagaland had its limitations. With no Olympic-size pool and few cycling-friendly routes, Vüprü trained in a 25-metre pool, covering his swim mileage through repeated laps. He expressed gratitude to Rongpangnichet Jamir of RPJ Arena for giving him free pool access.
“I had only one usable cycling route, from Purana Bazar to Seithekiema, and I dealt with punctures almost every week,” he said. “Triathlon isn’t part of our sports culture yet, so I had to figure out everything myself.”
His trainer, Imlineken Imchen, an ex-Indian Navy swimming coach at RPJ Arena Rapha Pool and Pool of Bethesda (Lengrijan), described Vüprü’s progress in six months as “remarkable.” “When he came in April, his swimming skills were almost nil. Ironman athletes usually train 10–12 months, but Zevor had only six. Discipline, consistency and hard work made this possible,” he said.
Calling Ironman 70.3 “one of the ultimate tests of physical and mental endurance,” Imchen said Vüprü’s achievement would encourage many in the State. “His success shows that determination and belief in God can make the impossible possible,” he said.
Vüprü said each leg of the race tested him differently. “It was my first-ever swim competition and my first time in open water. I was very nervous, but I prayed and just jumped in,” he recalled. He aimed for a 30 km/h pace on the bike but battled cramps in the final stretch. The run, he said, was “even tougher under the Goa sun.”
“For me, this achievement proves the Ironman motto in its simplest form, anything is possible, even when you start from zero,” he said.
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The First Naga Ironman: John Monsang’s journey
John Monsang, 40, became Nagaland’s first Ironman 70.3 finisher in 2023. A father of three and a wedding photographer by profession, Monsang said he was “never the athletic type” and began exercising at 34 to get in shape for his wedding.
He progressed from 5 km runs to a full marathon before deciding to attempt the Ironman after watching a friend train for it. “The moment I watched videos of the Ironman, something clicked. I knew this was the next challenge I wanted,” he said.
Monsang trained for only three months due to a delayed start caused by a knee injury later diagnosed as a completely torn ACL and partially torn MCL. He relied on an online coaching plan and adapted to local constraints, including swimming in a 20-metre pool and cycling on difficult roads and in poor weather.
Recalling the toughest stages of his race, Monsang said the open-water swim nearly ended his attempt. “My sighting was poor and I drifted off course, swimming more than 900 metres extra. I reached the shore with barely 10 minutes left before the cut-off,” he said.
The run, under intense heat, tested his limits. “I saw athletes dropping out, but I knew I would finish. Hearing the announcer say, ‘John Monsang, you are an Ironman,’ made everything worth it,” he said.
Monsang said the greatest lesson from his journey was the value of support. “I went to the event with my friend Akum, and I’m very grateful for his company and support. But when I crossed the finish line, the first people I wanted to see were my family,” he said.
‘Nagaland has talent, but we need infrastructure’
Both athletes said Nagaland lacks basic triathlon infrastructure- proper pools, cycling lanes, coaching systems and organised endurance events.
“Triathlon awareness is still very low here,” Vüprü said. “But interest is growing, and I hope my journey contributes to that.”
Monsang stressed the need for better facilities. “We need proper training centres, running tracks and Olympic-sized pools. The new track in Dimapur has already helped many runners,” he said.
Looking ahead
Vüprü will participate in the Basar Running Ultra Trail Experience in Arunachal Pradesh next week. He also plans to attempt a full Ironman (140.6). Monsang hopes to return for future races with his family. Both athletes encouraged aspiring endurance athletes in Nagaland to pursue the challenge.
“If I can do it, you can too,” Vüprü said. “Set goals that push you and believe you can do hard things.” Monsang added, “Anyone can complete an Ironman with commitment, consistency and belief.”
