SPORTS JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION OF MUMBAI (SJAM), in association with Yoska, hosted a panel discussion on Monday around the growing market for endurance sports in India.
Held a day after the HYROX race in Mumbai, the session brought together leading voices in the sector, including Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter by Zerodha, HYROX Global director of international development and strategy Vieri Parigi, Puma India head of marketing Shreya Sachdev sports scientist & nutrition expert Shyamal Vallabhjee, fitness coach Nupur Shikhare, artist & fitness enthusiast Dhvani Bhanushali, YOSKA CEO and co-founder Deepak Raj, IRONMAN deputy race director Aarathi.
In recent years, India has emerged as a vibrant hub for endurance sports, with events such as the IRONMAN 70.3 Goa, and HYROX acting as key catalysts in building the ecosystem. While fitness remains the foundation, panellists emphasised the importance of these events in fostering strong communities and highlighted the growing need for dedicated infrastructure to support endurance sports.
Deepak Raj recalled how his journey began by approaching international IRONMAN organisers abroad, asking why India could not host a race. From those conversations, India has now grown into a regular destination for IRONMAN events. He highlighted that community spirit, alongside fitness, is the true cornerstone of endurance sports.
With four successful editions of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa attracting over 1,800 participants annually, the launch of the 5150 Triathlon in Chennai, and India’s first duathlon series, participative sport in the country is clearly on the rise. Notably, female participation has been growing steadily, something highlighted in the HYROX races.
Vieri Parigi said, “At this point in time, in the journey of endurance sport, India is doing better than the pioneers USA and Germany when compared to their early years. We had more than 3,000 participants at HYROX Mumbai battling out, and doing their best to register their best timings. And having seen the adulation and enthusiasm we have received, we are confident of doubling the number of participants in the next edition.”
Shreya Sachdev commented, “Brands today are speaking more often and more regularly with women in today’s day and age. I think the ideal of what a woman should look like is also changing, and the HYROX event is a prime example of how a conducive environment can help turn a corner. And slowly, more women athletes are getting their time in the sun, whilst the number of brands who are also conversing about fitness movements with women is increasing. I am confident that the upward movement on the curve will continue.”
Deepak Raj added, “Over the years, IRONMAN started with one athlete from India, participating abroad, to the race being a massive crowd puller now. And just like that event, HYROX is also expanding its footprint in India at a steady pace, as we have recently seen. We are confident that there are many more chapters to be written in this journey, which is daunting yet exciting, much like the theme of endurance sport. The most encouraging aspect for us, as we go ahead, is the enthusiasm from the participants, that shows that we are transitioning to being a participative country at pace.”
