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Jakarta, 28 July 2016 – The 9th Herbalife Bali International Triathlon (HBIT) 2016 will be held at Mertasari Beach, Sanur, Bali, on August 14, 2016. For the second consecutive year, Herbalife Indonesia is the title sponsor for this event that combines swimming, cycling and running over both an Olypmic distance and shorter Srpint Distance course.

On Thursday July 21, 2016, a press conference for the Herbalife Bali International Triathlon held in Jakarta. On hand to answer questions from the media were the Sports Manager Herbalife Bali International Triathlon 2016, Panji Buana; Country General Manager Herbalife Indonesia, Andam Dewi; Head of Corporate Communications for Bank Mandiri, Ahmad Reza; professional model and triathlon athlete Kelly Tandiono; and the Ambassador of the Herbalife Bali International Triathlon and Vice Chairman or Indonesian Triathlon Federation (FTI) Richard Sam Bera.

“This is the ninth year we have supported Bali International Triathlon, and the second year we act as title sponsor,” said Country General Manager for Herbalife Indonesia, Andam Dewi. “After witnessing the tight competition and athlete enthusiasm every year over the past nine years, we believe that this year’s competition will attract a record number of fans and participats from around the world.”

Andam Dewi used the occasion to underline the relationship between good nutrition and sporting performance. “Athletes need a lot of energy. Athlete also need supplemental nutrition to perform optimally.” Continuing, Andam said that athletes joining a triathlon require top stamina and that Herbalife provides a balanced nutrition fulfilling daily needs, from carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Without these nutritional supplements, athletes are unable to turn in a top performance during a triathlon – a sporting event that includes swimming, cycling and running.

The 2016 Herbalife Bali International Triathlon is also supported by Bank Mandiri, as part of their continuing commitment to develop sports and tourism in Indonesia.

“Our supporting sponsorship for the second year is in keeping with our objective to support events that are sport tourism related in Indonesia. Bali, as one of the main tourism destinations in Indonesia, will surely become an unique attraction for triathlon sports fans,” said Head of Corporate Communications for Bank Mandiri, Ahmad Reza.

“In our capacity as a State-owned banks, the Herbalife Bali International Triathlon is one of the international events that we will continue to support in order to generate enthusiasm for nation sporting events and a sense of nationalism,” said Reza.

For From year to year, the number of participants have steadily increased, from 150 participants at the first race in 2007 to more than 1,200 participants in 2015. Sports Manager for the 2016 Herbalife Bali International Triathlon, Panji Buana, stated not only have the number of participants increased each year, but the number of Indonesian athletes now dominate entires.

“The numbers of athletes overall together with the number of Indonesian athletes have gone up each year. Keeping pace with the rapid growth of tourism to Bali since 2007, Herbalife’s ambition to make a lasting contribution to the development of sports tourism via their support of the Herbalife Bali International Triathlon continues to flourish.”

Former Olympic Athlete and FTI official, Richard Sam Bera told the press that sports in general and Triathlons in general have become part of the Nation’s lifestyle and, in the process, improved the quality of daily life. Sam Bera has joined the HBIT in every year since its inauguration. Adding, Bali’s beautiful scenery is just one of the reasons he participates every year.

“This year, we are moving to a new venue, Sanur. Since the announcement, I have been excited,” Sam Bera commented. The contours of Sanur, in his opinion, are flatter and more attractive for triathlon beginners. “The change in scenery is very interesting. After eight years in Jimbaran, we now have a new view, as Sanur is world renowned for its beauty.”

In agreement with Sam Bera, Kelly Tandiono stated her eagerness to join the Herbalife Bali International Triathlon. Tandiono said she loves sports and has enjoyed swimming, cycling and running since an early age.     

“Why not try all three of them,” said Kelly.  In the past, she had joined several marathons. In Bali she has entered the Sprint category that combines swimming 500 meters, cycling 20 kilometers, and running 5 kilometers.

The Director of Herbalife Bali International Triathlon 2016, Arie Sukirno, warmly welcomed Bank Mandiri back as one of the major event sponsors. “Since its initiation in 2007,” said says Sukirno, “Bali International Triathlon has become a pioneer in international scale sports in Bali and we are proud that Bank Mandiri has supported the  next step in our journey to make the Island  one of the best international sports destinations.”

Herbalife Bali International Triathlon is Indonesia’s oldest Olympic Distance Triathlon and has been dubbed the “Triathlon for the Soul” by those who have enjoyed its exotic location and unrivaled competitive experience. The race was won various international awards, including “Best Destination Triathlon.” As in year’s past, this year the triathlon consists of two distances operated over three categories:  Olympic (swim 1.5 kilometer , cycle 40 kilometer , run 10 kilometer), Sprint (swim 500 meter, cycle 20 kilometer , run 5 kilometer) and 5 kilometer Fun Run, which is expected to draw 1.500 participants.