Athletic icon Ghani Souleymane from the UAE takes on a Guinness World Record challenge, exceeding the significance of sports.
Ghani Souleymane Attempts Historic 100-Day Triathlon Challenge for Charity
Ghani Souleymane, a respected figure in the UAE's sporting community, is set to embark on an unprecedented endurance feat. The endurance athlete, originally from Togo, will attempt to complete 100 full-distance T100 triathlons in 100 consecutive days from August 8 to November 16, 2025.
Each triathlon will consist of a 2 km swim, 80 km cycle, and 18 km run, starting at Kite Beach, Dubai, and finishing at the T100 Race Village in the city. This challenge, if successful, will break the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive T100 triathlons completed.
Souleymane's record attempt serves a charitable purpose as he aims to raise funds for children through the Al-Jalila Foundation, which supports healthcare and welfare for children in the UAE. The challenge is described by Souleymane as "bigger than sport," with its primary goal being to inspire and support disadvantaged children.
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), organisers of the T100 Triathlon World Tour, have expressed their support for Souleymane's attempt. The PTO's CEO, Sam Renouf, has praised Souleymane's dedication and ambition in pushing human endurance limits.
In 2020, Souleymane was inducted into the Dubai Fitness Challenge Hall of Fame for completing 30 ultramarathons in 30 days. In 2023, he completed 30 full-Ironman contests. His training for this new challenge has been rigorous, even during extreme summer temperatures, as he balances his work selling running shoes in Dubai Mall with early morning training sessions.
Dubai-based health food business SKitchen and nutritionist Yuri Nemoto are sponsoring Ghani Souleymane's enormous fueling requirements for the challenge. Leading entrepreneurs and philanthropists have provided Souleymane with the necessary equipment for the challenge, including running shoes, transportation, swimming gear, and a customized Ventum triathlon bike.
Souleymane hopes that his challenge inspires others to make sport and movement part of their lifestyle. He supports the Dubai-based Heroes of Hope, a non-profit organization helping people of determination through sports, and the Al-Jalila Foundation.
In addition to Souleymane's challenge, the Dubai T100 Triathlon is also taking place during the same period. The event offers opportunities for sprint triathlons, schools races, and corporate duathlon relays. The Dubai T100 Triathlon is in its second year and is a key part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge's month-long push to encourage activity.
The London edition of the T100 takes place from Aug. 9 to 10, just after Souleymane's new challenge begins. The T100 Triathlon World Tour series blends elite performance with a commitment to amateur racing and building the global triathlon community.
References:
[1] Al-Jalila Foundation. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.aljalilafoundation.org/about-us/
[2] Dubai Fitness Challenge. (n.d.). Hall of Fame. Retrieved from https://www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com/en/hall-of-fame/
[3] Professional Triathletes Organisation. (n.d.). T100. Retrieved from https://www.pto.org/races/t100/
[4] Souleymane, G. (n.d.). My Story. Retrieved from https://ghanisouleymane.com/my-story/
- The world's attention will be on Ghani Souleymane as he embarks on a historic 100-day triathlon challenge, attempting to break the Guinness World Record in the middle of next year.
- The T100 triathlon challenge, taking place in Dubai, not only tests human endurance but also promotes art, lifestyle, and health, as Souleymane aims to inspire others to make sport and movement a part of their regular routine.
- Businesses like SKitchen and nutritionist Yuri Nemoto have shown their support for Souleymane's record-breaking attempt, offering fueling requirements and sponsorship to help him complete the grueling 100-day event.
- News about the Dubai T100 Triathlon will unfold alongside Souleymane's challenge, features including sprint triathlons, schools races, and corporate duathlon relays, making it an event for all, from the casual participant to the elite athlete.
- In addition to the charitable goal of raising funds for children through the Al-Jalila Foundation, Souleymane's challenge is a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together, underscoring football's slogan: "The beautiful game for everyone."
