Kerala's Arunjith conquers fear of water, becomes Ironman in Estonia

'Arunjiith Unnikrishnan from India... you are an Ironman!' Under a grey, rain-swept sky on a blustery morning in Tallinn, Estonia, these words echoing through the speakers meant far more than a sporting achievement for a Malayali athlete. For the man crossing the finish line, triumphantly hoisting the Indian tricolour, it was the culmination of an extraordinary odyssey. Just a few years earlier, he was so terrified of water that he had literally run away from a riverbank after watching others train. By conquering the world's most gruelling endurance test—the Ironman 140.6—he turned a deeply personal vulnerability into an international triumph.

A humble start on a borrowed cycle
Arunjiith's fitness journey did not begin in a high-tech gym or under professional mentorship. It began in 2019 with a heavy, old-school, gearless bicycle gifted by a colleague. Pedalling around his neighbourhood to revive childhood memories, he quickly developed a passion for the sport. During a ride from Kochi to Thrissur, members of the Paravur Bikers Club noticed his persistence on the heavy frame and invited him to join their group.

The very next week, Arunjiith joined them on a challenging ride from Kochi to Athirappilly. Despite struggling on the steep inclines with his gearless bicycle, his sheer grit impressed his peers, who advised him to upgrade. Taking their advice, he bought his first multi-geared cycle in Kochi. Within a week, he put his new machine to the ultimate test, completing his first major endurance ride with the group from Kochi to the hill station of Ooty.

Locked down but running forward
Just as cycling was becoming an integral part of his life, the Covid pandemic struck, bringing outdoor activities to a grinding halt. Having relocated to Thrissur, a sedentary lifestyle crept back in, resulting in weight gain. When his clothes no longer fitted, Arunjiith realised he had to pivot to another form of exercise. Remembering childhood walks with his father, he figured running would be straightforward. Yet, on his very first attempt, he was left breathless and gasping for air after just a few metres.

Refusing to concede defeat, he started with short, structured intervals, gradually building up his stamina. Soon, he was participating in Decathlon virtual challenges across India, securing hundreds of victories. His impressive data on the fitness app Strava caught the attention of the Kerala Riders UAE, who invited him to participate in a 28-day virtual challenge. Arunjiith won the event by running an incredible 973 km, which included 31 consecutive half marathons. His prize was a Garmin running watch, which liberated him from carrying a heavy mobile phone while training.

Success bred ambition. He went on to win the rigorous 30-day Kerala Riders UAE Triathlon League. It was during this competition that the terms 'triathlon' and 'Ironman' first entered his lexicon, sparking a new dream.

Conquering a deep-seated fear of water
To become an Ironman, one must swim, cycle, and run. For Arunjiith, the first leg was a terrifying bottleneck. Having lived with a lifelong fear of deep water, the prospect of swimming in open reservoirs seemed impossible. In November, 2022, he went to meet Saji Valassery, a renowned swimming coach at the Aluva Periyar River. Witnessing the intense training sessions where students had to dive deep into the riverbed, panic overtook Arunjiith. He mounted his bicycle and fled the scene.

However, the dream of the Ironman title refused to die. Exactly one year later, in November 2023, he gathered his courage and returned to the same riverbank. Under the patient guidance of Saji and his team, Arunjiith conquered his phobia, mastered basic swimming techniques, and cleared a 780-metre assessment. To prepare specifically for the open-water challenges of the Ironman, he began rigorous sessions in the Periyar under expert swimmer Sajeesh Nair, alongside his training partner and RBI official, Sreenath.

A rising star on the triathlon circuit
Arunjiith proved his mettle in 2024 by completing his first official swim event—a 2 km race in the Periyar River during the Kochi Swimathon. This was followed by open-ocean training in Chennai. From there, he embarked on an impressive competitive streak:
• Pondicherry Aquafest (Olympic Distance): Finished second overall and clinched first place in his age category.
• Kozhikode Sprint Triathlon: Secured a third-place finish.
• Goa Ironman 70.3: Despite his swimming goggles snapping mid-race and suffering painful jellyfish stings, he fought through to finish with an impressive timing.
• Vietnam Da Nang Ironman 70.3 (May 2025): Improved significantly on his previous timings.
• International Achievements: Represented India at the Dubai Oceanman (5 km sea swim), the Dubai T100 Triathlon, and secured a fifth-place finish at India's inaugural short-distance Ironman 5150 in Chennai.

Cracking the 300-half-marathon milestone
Of the three disciplines, running remained Arunjiith’s favourite. After enlistment under the guidance of acclaimed Japanese coach James McIntyre, his running efficiency soared. In February, 2026, he finished the Burj to Burj Half Marathon in Dubai in under 90 minutes—marking his 300th half marathon. To date, this remarkable athlete has completed 326 half marathons, 22 full marathons, and 5 ultra marathons. Over the last six years, he has clocked over 16,500 km of running, 44,500 km of cycling, and 127 km of swimming.

The weight loss aspect
His transformation is also highly physical. Weighing 78 kg in 2019, he has maintained a lean 58-60 kg for the past two years. Once a lover of sweets and samosas, he completely eliminated refined sugar, junk food, and fried items from his diet 18 months ago, opting for a clean, protein-rich vegetarian diet. This demanding lifestyle requires immense sacrifice, meaning he has had to miss out on family gatherings and social events—a compromise he accepts without regret.

The ultimate race day in Tallinn: August 22, 2026
Eager to transition from the half-distance to the full Ironman  (3.8 km swim, 180 km cycling, and a 42.2 km full marathon), Arunjiith, along with his friend Sreenath, chose Tallinn, Estonia. He arrived in Northern Europe a week prior to the event to acclimatise to the chilly conditions, but disaster struck during a practice swim at Lake Raku. Overwhelmed by the icy water and the constricting pressure of his wetsuit, he suffered a panic attack and had to abandon the swim after just 300 metres. It was only through the immense encouragement of his fellow Indian athletes that he regained his mental composure.

Race day on August 22, 2026, brought terrible weather, with authorities issuing a yellow alert for thick fog, driving rain, and strong winds. The race commenced with the traditional Baltic 'Viking Clap'.
• The Swim (3.8 km): Thick fog reduced visibility to almost zero, and halfway through, Arunjiith suffered a severe cramp in his right calf. He drifted off-course by over 400 metres, yet pushed through to complete the swim in 2 hours and 7 minutes.
• The Ride (180 km): Cycling through the Estonian countryside, he was battered by strong headwinds and torrential rain after the 120 km mark. He completed the course in 7 hours and 47 minutes.
• The Run (42.2 km): Bundled up in layers to ward off the freezing cold, he kept a steady pace. As the finish line neared, he drew out the Indian tricolour, sprinting across the line with a total time of 15 hours and 26 minutes.

A network of support and future dreams
Arunjiith credits his monumental achievement to a dedicated support system. He expresses deep gratitude to his wife Soumya, son Ashvamedh, and parents K. Unnikrishnan and Ramadevi. He also credits the leadership team at EY GDS, coach James McIntyre, training partners Sreenath L and Sajeesh Nair, and partners like The Bike Tales and Decathlon Kerala. He notes special thanks to his school friend Leopold Thanikkal Joseph, who helped him secure crucial sponsorship for his UAE campaigns.

Born in Thrissur, raised in Mumbai, and now living in Kalamassery, Ernakulam, where he works as an Assistant Director for EY GDS, Arunjiith has simple advice for beginners: "Even if you fail initially, keep trying. Small, daily steps compound into massive achievements over time. Never compare yourself to others, believe in your own journey, and distance yourself from negativity."

His next target? Qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon. To do so, the Malayali Ironman is already back in training, aiming to complete a full 42.2 km marathon in under 3 hours and 5 minutes in the competitive 40-44 age category.