Ten-times Malta triathlon champion Dermot Galea has fulfilled his dream of qualifying for the coveted Ironman World Championships which are held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Earning a place in the 2014 Kona race is no mean feat as there is fierce competition from triathletes all over the world to secure one of the 1,800 spots available.

This will be the first time that Malta will have a representative at the Ironman in Hawaii.

Galea, of Birkirkara St Joseph, has been chasing his Kona ambition since 2007, putting long, hard hours of training in order to achieve what had seemed an impossible qualifying time.

Racing in the Ironman Zurich on Sunday, Galea had to deal with hot temperatures, reaching 38 degrees, before finishing ninth in his age group and 49th from a pool of 2,600.

That result meant a place at next year’s championships.

“I am extremely happy with this achievement, not just for myself but also for the people around me not least my fiancée Johanna, my parents and brother Keith, my training partner Barry Farrugia and his partner Nicoletta Mangion, and the rest of the support team I had in Switzerland,” Galea, the Malta triathlon coach, said.

“It’s a big milestone for Triathlon Malta as we will now be present for the first time at the Ironman World Championships.

“I would also like to thank the Malta Triathlon Federation Board for their support, particularly president Cyprian Dalli, and my club and secretary Euchar Camilleri.”

Triathlon in Malta was first introduced in 1986. All starts are difficult but in recent years there has been a sharp increase in numbers for triathlon events.

In fact, this year over 25 per cent of the triathlon community in Malta would have participated in Ironman races worldwide.

Malta Triathlon president Cyprian Dalli hailed Galea’s performance in Zurich.

“We are very proud of Dermot. His commitment and determination has resulted in consistent results.

“This result is the culmination of his efforts,” Dalli said.

“He has now taken Triathlon Malta to a higher ground. We are sure that this will be of great motivation to our athletes and prestige to our federation.”

Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club congratulated Galea, emphasising their pride to have Malta and the club colours flying for the first time ever in an Ironman World Championship.