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Rajesh knows what it is like to be challenged. He was born without legs and only one arm…As a young boy growing up he was constantly teased and ridiculed: an outcast amongst his own peers.
As a result he tried to hide himself in baggy loose fitted clothing in the hopes to blend in.
The pressure was so great that Rajesh remembers being suicidal.
At the age of 12, Rajesh found the athlete that was waiting to emerge. He became involved with downhill slalom skiing and started his journey into finding himself: the real person that was inside the body…

Rajesh will be in South Carolina doing a 70.3. end of August and then in Hawaii finishing off his training for his biggest goal this year, Ford Ironman World Championship.

When did you start racing?
I started training last year for my first sprint on july 26th. All together 15 months.

What motivated you to get into competing?
Prayer. that gave me the strength and confidence to reach and push my mind and body to new limits.

Which have been your main event?
None really, I like all three disciplins, and work hard to dial each one of them in.
I love the olympic races and half iron man’s.

What do you feel you have learned about yourself in the process?
I’ve learned that my life is not mine. I am a vessle to share and show the awesome power of God. I’ve learned to have a vision bigger than what the world ofr people say i can do. I’ve learned to listen to only one voice, and hold strong to my faith. It’s carried me this far.

What’s your goal and motivation for 2010?
My goal is to crush IM Hawaii, after that i’m not sure what my race schedule will be. My #1 motivation is doing god’s work, nothing is more rewarding that knowing that the gifts that i’ve been blessed with has been shared with everyone around me.

Seeing people living with fear, lack of faith, courage or peace. When i’m training and racing, the people that come up to me to share their newfound courage, motivtion, and peace that i’ve brought into their lives. That motivates me.
Also the kids that are disable, or people struggling with a disability, motivates me to keep on pushing through the threshold and continue to push the limits of what a triple amputee can do.

Mix 1 Nutrition Facebook Press Release

Raj — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:15:28 +0000

MIX1 is proud to announce that we are the official nutrition sponsor for Orlando based triathlete Rajesh Durbal and his road to the Ironman World Championship. As a triple amputee Rajesh’s journey is unique and we are excited to support him in his personal goals and quest for Kona!

Click here for more.

News 6 Local Orlando TV Interview

Raj — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:41:58 +0000

TRIPLE AMPUTEE TRAINS FOR TRIATHLON

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/24272701/detail.html#

ORLANDO, Fla. — Rajesh Durbal, 32, is gearing up for victory without three very important things — his limbs.

He was born a triple amputee, but that hasn’t stopped him from setting records in the sporting world.He holds a couple of world records in the 100 meter sprint and some gold medals in downhill skiing.

For his next challenge though, the Orlando engineer hopes to become the first triple amputee to complete an Ironman distance triathlon.“I’m pretty stoked about it,” he said. “I’m on a path that’s bigger than where I’m at.

“For those who don’t know, that’s 140 miles of biking, swimming and running, and Durbal is doing it all, training 15 hours a week.

Saying he knows what he’s getting into, Durbal admits it’s a hard race and that there’s a lot of people who don’t finish, but hopes it’ll be different for him.

Literally giving his classmates a run, swim and spin for their money, his workout partners have no doubt he’ll accomplish his goal.

“Raj always beats us,” said Faith Buher, a friend of Durbal’s. “He makes it one full lap and all the way back holding his breath. It’s amazing.

”Despite everything, he said he’s ready for anything to happen at the race that takes place in Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 9.

“Anybody who asks me if I’m ready for anything, I tell them I’m always ready for any type of challenge that comes my way,” he said. “That’s how it’s always been since I was born. For me it’s just another challenge.”

There are four other amputee athletes competing in the race.