Tomislav Dotov, a native of Koprivnica, has completed three Ironman races, which involve swimming 3.8 kilometres, cycling 180 kilometres, and running a 42-kilometre marathon. Dotov started triathlon at the age of 40, but had been practising sport since childhood.
His parents enrolled him in karate in the first grade of primary school, where he stayed for a very short time. He spent most of his sporting career playing football. Part of his career was spent in the former Lokomotiva, now Koprivnica, after which he also played for Slaven. He completed his semi-professional path with the start of his studies, but continued to play football in local clubs as an amateur.
Before triathlon, he first started running, and a conversation with a work colleague directed him towards triathlon. He also had the desire to run a marathon. He prepared for his first Ironman for about six months, and completed his first Ironman in 2024 in Barcelona.
Dotov's weakest discipline is swimming, and he spends approximately 20 hours a week training. His wife, Irena, also does triathlon, while his children are following in his footsteps.
During an Ironman, competitors are not allowed to use mobile phones or headphones. The hardest part of the race for Dotov is the start, and the hardest part is the run at the end. The idea of the Ironman dates back to the 1970s and Hawaii.
