Marcel Heinig
Marcel Nico Andreas Heinig (born 16 November 1981 in Cottbus) is a German extreme sportsman who has his greatest success in decatriathlons, which are more than fifty times the distance of the Olympic Distance Triathlon. He scored his biggest victory by winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Decatriathlon (10x Ironman Hawaii) in 2008.
Marcel Heinig's lifestyle is unique. In his youth, he skipped physical education, took the certificates and did everything possible to dodge sports activities. He was 40 kg overweight, as unsportsmanlike as any student of Leonardo da Vinci School, Cottbus. In the year 2001, the tide turned. In the army, it was impossible for him to keep a distance from athleticism. He faced problems due to being overweight during the Physical Fitness Test, drills and orientation process. What started as an ordeal resulted in the opportunity of his life. Seven years later, the once unathletic Marcel became the youngest World Champion in the history of the Decatriathlon.
Achievements and titles
- Worldwide youngest member of the "100 Marathon Club" (Germany), 2005[1]
- Age group- and Group world record in the 10-day-triathlon, 2006[2]
- World Cup Champion International Ultra Triathlon Association, 2008[3]
- World Champion Decatriathlon, 2008[4]
- Worldrecord overall in the 10-Days-Triathlon, 2009[5]