Three years ago Himanshu Bhutani couldn’t swim. This season he returns as a NSW Triathlon Ambassador with a full Ironman behind him, a 44-minute marathon PB, and a growing community of people who’ve been inspired to give triathlon a go because of him. We caught up to hear about his season, his mission, and the people who’ve shaped his journey so far.
Could you introduce yourself to those in our tri community who might not know you yet.
I’m Himanshu, based in Sydney and a member of Balance Tri Club. I’m a husband, dad of two and work in technology, so like so many, training gets fitted around work and family!
My triathlon journey is still relatively new. I learnt to swim in 2022, bought a bike in 2023, joined Balance in 2024, and somehow made my first triathlon an Ironman 70.3.
The real reason I started was my kids. I’d gained a lot of weight, and one day I noticed them copying me whenever I said I was tired. It made me think about the example I wanted to set for them. Triathlon gave me the consistency and variety I needed, and now fitness is something I want to be part of the legacy I leave my kids.
You’re a returning Ambassador for NSW Triathlon. What was your favourite thing about being an Ambassador last season?
Getting inspired by others, and then hearing that my own journey had inspired someone else.
People at work and in the South Asian community have told me that seeing me balance family, work and training made them think they could give it a go too. A few have since joined clubs, entered events or got their kids involved, which has been really rewarding.
I also loved how much the community opened up for me. I’ve met people from Central Coast, Maitland, Cronulla and other clubs, volunteered at parkrun, supported organisations like Run Beyond and got involved in community activities. It’s made me realise that being part of sport isn’t only about turning up on race day. There’s a lot you can give back as well.
When we first met you at the start of Season 25/26, you had some big goals. How did you go?
Pretty happy! Ironman Cairns was the big one, and I got it done, including the swim this time. I also raced Husky, Club Champs at Forster, the Sydney Half, and the Sydney Marathon, where I took 44 minutes off my previous marathon PB.
Probably the biggest change is that the season has lit another spark. I’ve gone from wondering whether I could do these things to wondering how much I can improve.
We loved that you wanted people from your background to see you in the sport and know they could do it too. How did that go, and how can the community help even more?
My Ambassador mission is still a work in progress. I’ve connected with more South Asian groups, and some people have started racing or joined clubs, but swimming is still a big barrier. That’s something I’d really like to work on this year.
Running is becoming much more popular in the South Asian community, but swimming is often where the conversation stops when I mention triathlon.
I’d love to work with NSW Triathlon and clubs to make that first step into swimming and triathlon less intimidating. It doesn’t have to start with a full triathlon. An aquathlon, a duathlon, a club race or just getting comfortable in the water can be the beginning.
For me, success would be seeing more people think “maybe I can do this” rather than “triathlon isn’t for people like me.”
Can you share a special highlight from your triathlon journey so far?
Ironman Cairns. The swim was cancelled at my first Ironman in Port Macquarie, so completing the full distance this year meant a lot, particularly because I only learnt to swim as an adult.
There were moments in Cairns when I was scared and had to let go of expectations and just keep going. The other athletes and the community around the race helped enormously.
There have also been some special people along the way. Through triathlon I was fortunate to meet Richard Schoyer and ride with him.
Richard inspired so many people through the way he approached life and his challenges, and his passing this year was incredibly sad. I’m grateful this community gave me the chance to cross paths with him. His message about giving things a crack and pursuing what matters with humility has stayed with me.
Callala was another emotional one. I raced after losing my grandmother, and I thought a lot about her journey and resilience during that race. It gave that finish line a very different meaning.
We are so excited to be working alongside Himi and sharing more of his journey across this season. If you see him at a race, be sure to say hello! Thanks for being such an inspiring part of our sporting community!
