Filipina triathlete Aira Lopez traveled to Nice, France, for her first Ironman 70.3 World Championship appearance and finished with the fastest time among the Filipino athletes in the Philippine delegation.
The actress completed the Ironman 70.3 World Championship from Sept. 12 to 13, 2026, clocking 6:35:59. She was one of 8 Filipino athletes who qualified for the competition and faced age-group triathletes from across the globe.
Lopez’s race featured a 1.9-kilometer swim in the Mediterranean, a 90-kilometer bike leg with 1,190 meters of elevation gain through the hills surrounding Nice, and a 21.1-kilometer half marathon along the Promenade des Anglais in the September heat. Her sister, Alou Lopez, also completed the race in 7:15:29, posting the third-fastest time among the Filipino competitors.
The result represented a significant milestone in Lopez’s triathlon career. Making her World Championship debut, she crossed the finish line carrying the Philippine flag and later called it her “best race weekend,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent the Philippines on the international stage.
