SATV 17 May, Kathmandu: Slovak athlete Nikola Korbova made history by winning the Himalayan Xtri World Tour Extreme Triathlon, considered one of the toughest endurance races in the world, held Pokhara, Nepal.
Nikola completed the ultra-distance course—which included 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 165 kilometers of cycling, and 43 kilometers of running in 17:08:41 seconds, setting a new record and becoming the first woman ever to win an event in the Extreme World Tour Triathlon.
The second position was claimed by Galym Chausev from Kazakhstan with a time of 17:56:35, while Flex Leder of Germany secured third place, finishing in 18:43:20.
Helen Kotopulu of the Czech Republic finished second in Women’s Category with a time of 18:36:27.
According to race director Rikesh Yonjan, the fourth edition of the Himalayan Xtri saw 32 participants—25 men and 7 women—out of 42 athletes originally registered. The course is widely regarded as one of the most demanding in global triathlon due to extreme elevation, rugged Himalayan terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Race Overview
Swimming (3.8 km): Conducted in the serene waters of Fewa Lake
Cycling (165 km): A grueling route from Pokhara-Sarangkot to Kusma (Parbat) via Baglung Kalika, ending at Lumle-Kande (Kaski)
Running (43 km): Ascending from Kande to Mardi Himal Viewpoint (4,000 met ers) and finishing at Lwang village in Machhapuchhre Village Municipality
“This is a groundbreaking moment in the history of extreme triathlons,” said Yonjan. “Nikola didn’t just win—she shattered the stereotype that such extreme endurance events are beyond the reach of women. Her performance is an inspiration, and we expect increased female participation in future editions.”
Yonjan further noted that this achievement not only shines a spotlight on women’s capabilities in extreme sports but also enhances Pokhara’s reputation as a premier global destination for adventure and endurance events. He urged for greater governmental support to promote Nepal’s growing profile in international sports tourism.
