Qualifying for the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, the annual World Triathlon Championship, is the highest achievement for a triathlete. It's a series of races, including a 3.86-km swim, a 180.25-km bicycle ride and a 42.195-km run. All these make the Ironman one of the most difficult one-day competitions in the world.
Daniyar Zhanabekov came to triathlon in his 30s, when on his birthday he realised he wasn't satisfied with the quality of his well-being. He was the last to finish his first race in Almaty. But after several years of exhausting training, Daniyar qualified for Kona, his first world championship. Daniyar goes to Hawaii together with other athletes from Kazakhstan.
Everyone involved in Ironman sets their goals differently. They often talk about overcoming themselves, self-discipline, strong will, or, for instance, that Ironman is the embodiment of a strong person, a family man and a businessman. But few understand what is behind it. During the race, they experience burning sensation in their legs, they have continuous nausea, they spend a lot of money on these races or have to sacrifice family time. But they continue to swim, ride bikes and run. And do so every day, because no Ironman race is easy.
Everyone who comes to this sport is looking for something and finds answers at the finish line.
Directed by Kana Beisekey
Producer: Kairat Nurmugambetov
Director of photography: Kana Beisekey
2nd Unit Director of Photography: Maksat Abitayev
Editor: kɔnstantin sɯrɔmjatnikɔv, Kana Beisekey
Sound Editor: Dias Bektayev
Color: Aydos Jumurov (dos.color)
Subtitles: Assem Sarysheva, Adil Ayzharyk
Titles Design: dimasso, Alimograph
Analog Collage: Aigyyna Gerasimova
In 2021 Kanat Beisekeyev was selected as one of Central Asia's "Next 30" young leaders, for his inspiring work as a filmmaker documenting real voices in Kazakhstan. Following a State Department funded exchange program to the United States with other Next 30 selectees in 2022, where he shared best practices and learned from other inspiring artists, Beisekeyev traveled to Hawaii to produce a documentary on the 2022 IronMan Triathlon.
2023