Fernando Champomier, was diagnoses with Multiple Sclerosis 17 years ago, finishes Ironman Brazil in 9:59:04.
Born in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, Fernando Champomier discovered multiple sclerosis when he was about to climb on the podium of his first triathlon, 17 years ago.
Suddenly, his legs locked, and he just could not move.
He went to the doctor and then the results of the tests accused him of 12 spots on his brain cause by multiple sclerosis.
Just as he was beginning his physical education studies, the so called “doctor” said that he should leave the course and looking for something he could do sitting where he would not need so much physical effort.
Well, after more than 15 Ironman races, he did not follow the mistaken recommendation of letting time consume his life.
Graduated in Physical Education, he works in Buenos Aires where he attends people in a local club who bitch in his history, a way to motivate the practice of the sport.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Definition
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS , the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.
The Meeting with a coach
In 2018, we were going to Bariloche for the Ironman 70.3 debut. And we ended up getting to know each other in a hostel.
From there, the invitation to train him for greater distances arise. The goal would be Ironman 140.6 here in Brazil.
That same year he had made his debut in the distance of 140.6 with the time of 10:10. Our goal would be to achieve the sub 10 hours mark.
So while I was following through the Ironman Tracker application, I saw that its forecast was 10:01.
It was then that I said to myself: I will not let that happen. And it was Missing 3km for your arrival, that I took my bike that I was using to follow the race and I went out looking for Fernando.
For almost 2 km, I was on the other side of the street encouraging Fernando to give his maximum until the end. We were very close to achieving our goal.
The extraordinary happened
In a superhuman effort, Fernando changed his gear and increased his pace to the end as shown in the following video.
After almost 10 hours of extreme effort and already with symptoms of spasticity coming from Multiple Sclerosis, Fernando overcomes any and all pain and fatigue, reaching our goal: 9:59:04.
Those are moments for which I live and work.
The vocation of a coach is much more than the translation of the word (coach).
Coach is knowing his athlete, understanding his ambitions, his frustrations, but above all, getting his best when even he doubts.
Invitations
Fernando Champomier has participated in more than 10 Ironman competitions around Latin America besides being one of the best triathletes ranked in his country (Argentina). All thanks to the support of the Association of Multiple Sclerosis of Argentina (ALCEM).
His goal is to continue seeking more and more people through the sport as an example that all of us can overcome this disease.
Fernando Champomier trains with Joel de Bem, an Ironman Certfied Coach.