PANAJI
Bollywood actress Saiyami Kher, best known for her performances in films like Ghoomer and Jaat, is the first Indian actor to complete the prestigious Ironman 70.3 triathlon. In fact, Saiyami has done it not once, but twice in September 2024 at Berlin, Germany and July 2025 in Jonkoping, Sweden, both within a span of one year.
“My first Ironman was in Germany and second one was in Sweden. First one was very overwhelming, very emotional. I had got lost on the coast. It is lot of hard work. But the race is a celebration of all the training you put in. Undoubtedly the proudest moment in my life,” said Saiyami who is in Goa as a brand ambassador of Ironman 70.3 Goa.
In fact, Goa is hosting the prestigious Ironman 70.3 in its fifth edition this year. The race includes a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run, for a total distance of 70.3 miles (about 113 km).
Saiyami was a sportsperson before she became an actress.
“For me, sport has been my first love. When you play sports, the sportsperson in you cannot be removed. It stays with you, “ she said.
“I got into films and kept manifesting, always wanting to do a sports film. Finally, it happened in the form of Ghoomer and it has been the most special experience of my life. Because I could not wear the India jersey in real life, I got to wear it in the film.”
In the 2023 sports-based film 'Ghoomer', Saiyami had played the role of a young batting prodigy who loses her right hand on the eve of her international cricketing debut. But a failed cricketer enters her life and offers her new hope. With innovative training, she becomes a bowler for the Indian cricket team, and they invent a new style of bowling.
“The movie is re-releasing today as a tribute to what our girls did on 02 November, lifting the World Cup, “ said a visibly excited Saiyami.
“I was actually there at the DY Patil Stadium. I saw the girls lift the trophy. I still get goosebumps by seeing or remembering those moments or visuals.”
Saiyami always wanted to play for India, but never got an opportunity to do so.
“It was a dream as a child to play cricket for the nation. I used to play badminton as well. I was a trained badminton player. I choose that over cricket. I did not pursue cricket because it was always looked down upon especially women in cricket, women in lot of sports. People used to make fun of us,” she said. “From then till now, it was been a long and incredible journey of our women’s cricketers to what we have achieved in all these years.”
“Sport keeps you alive, both mentally and physically. I would advise every girl to pick up any sport. It doesn’t have to be professionally. We have seen what Harmanpreet, Smriti, Jemimah, the entire Indian women’s cricket team has done. Dreams do come true. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t play sports,” advises Saiyami to all the girls out there.
