Kampar, Malaysia, July 14, 2024: Sujal Rai has two clear goals in life. The Kathmandu schoolboy wants to be a cybersecurity expert when he graduates - and away from the digital world to become a skilled triathlete who can compete with the best in Asia.
At present he is on target to protect systems, networks and programmes from digital attack. But as far as his other goal is concerned, he realises he needs a quantum leap in his swimming skills to realise his dream.
Sujal, 17, was one of 10 boys who either did not finish or was lapped in the 70-strong field in the Asian Triathlon Junior Cup – an elite race which participants at the OCA World Triathlon/Asian Triathlon Youth Development Camp were involved in this weekend.
Sujal finished the swim course of 750 metres in 18 minutes and 18 seconds, which was almost seven minutes behind eventual champion Hong Kong’s Wong Ka-ho, who emerged first out of the lake bordering the Tunku Abdul Rahman University. By the time Sujal reached his bike, he had already been lapped by Wong and the other leaders, ending his race prematurely.
“I was very disappointed that I could not cycle or run, which are my better disciplines. I only started swimming a few months ago and I know this is my weakest discipline in triathlon and that I have to improve massively,” Sujal reflected.
Nepal coach Sarobhai Paudel admitted that a lot of work needed to be done to get his athlete into the frame for the latter stages of races.
“He is a rider and a runner. When we go back to Nepal, we will have to focus more on his swimming. This was the first time he was competing in a triathlon race and it was a big learning curve for Sujal. Now he knows what is needed,” Paudel said.
Before arriving in Malaysia, Sujal had just finished his final exams in high school, and is now awaiting his results.
“I hope I get good grades because I want to go to University in the United States to study computer science. I want to work in cybersecurity. In the US, I will continue my triathlon career too,” Sujal revealed.
Sujal is hopeful that in the near future, he will be able to catch digital thieves as well as catch up with the leaders in a triathlon race.
