Current:Home > InvestPeyton Manning surprises father and son, who has cerebral palsy, with invitation to IRONMAN World Championship-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Peyton Manning surprises father and son, who has cerebral palsy, with invitation to IRONMAN World Championship
View Date:2024-12-23 21:08:53
As part of their remarkable journey as father-son triathletes, Jeff and Johnny Agar have been surprised with an official invitation to compete in the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
"CBS Mornings" lead national correspondent David Begnaud, who first introduced the Agar family to the world last November, recently reunited with the dynamic duo to reveal the life-changing surprise. He had help from legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, one of Johnny's favorite athletes.
"You guys are incredible and a true inspiration," Manning told the Agars in a video message. "On behalf of IRONMAN, it's my honor to share with you that Team Agar has earned an official invite to the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Congratulations and good luck! I'll be rooting for you the whole way."
Their journey to the IRONMAN World Championship has been a long one. Johnny, now 29 years old, was born with cerebral palsy, a muscle disorder that makes it difficult to walk and talk. With the unwavering support of his father, Johnny has embarked on a unique athletic journey. Jeff selflessly pushes, pulls and hauls Johnny through triathlon's as they swim, bike and run — embodying the spirit of teamwork and determination.
"I'm not a fan of swimming, biking or running, which is perfect for triathlon," Jeff told Begnaud last year, laughing. "This probably wouldn't be in the top 100 things I'd select to do. ... I'm not doing it because I love it. This is Johnny's dream and I'm giving him the legs and the power to do it."
For the races, they must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles — in under 17 hours.
Their resilience and perseverance led them to complete an IRONMAN race within the designated time frame — on their sixth try. The victory, last September, fueled their ambition to participate in the pinnacle of triathlons: the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.
Teams like the Agars must receive invitations to compete in the elite event. IRONMAN says the Agars personify "the spirit of the sport."
They now have 16 months to train.
"When I hopefully walk across that finish line, I'm gonna put every, every ounce of energy that I have," Johnny said. "It's going to be really, really special for me."
After all, they have what no other triathlete in the solo sport have: each other.
veryGood! (1351)
Related
- Alexandra Daddario shares first postpartum photo of baby: 'Women's bodies are amazing'
- DOJ says Veterans Affairs police officer struck man with baton 45 times at medical center
- Hungary’s foreign minister hints that Budapest will continue blocking EU military aid to Ukraine
- Suspect in police beating has ruptured kidney, headaches; his attorneys call for a federal probe
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Spike Lee always had a vision. Now a new Brooklyn exhibit explores his prolific career.
- Missing woman who was subject of a Silver Alert killed in highway crash in Maine
- 3 Filipino fishermen die in South China Sea after their boat is hit by a passing commercial vessel
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 13 drawing: Jackpot rises to $113 million
- Arizona to cancel leases allowing Saudi-owned farm access to state’s groundwater
Ranking
- Duke basketball vs Kentucky live updates: Highlights, scores, updates from Champions Classic
- Woman who planned robbery of slain college student while friend posed as stranded motorist convicted of murder
- Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and the ripple effect that will shape the 2023-24 NBA season
- Detective Pikachu Returns, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and more Fall games reviewed
- Zendaya Shares When She Feels Extra Safe With Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Sia reveals she's had an 'amazing face lift' after years of covering her face
- US appeals court to hear arguments over 2010 hush-money settlement of Ronaldo rape case in Vegas
- Robot takeover? Agility Robotics to open first-ever factory to mass produce humanoid robots
Recommendation
-
Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
-
Shares in Scandinavian Airlines plunge to become almost worthless after rescue deal announced
-
Jamie Lynn Spears Reacts to Her Dancing With the Stars Elimination
-
There are now 2 vaccines to slash the frightful toll of malaria
-
Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan changing up this season
-
After judge’s rebuke, Trump returns to court for 3rd day for fraud lawsuit trial
-
Study finds more people are moving into high flood zones, increasing risk of water disasters
-
It's dumb to blame Taylor Swift for Kansas City's struggles against the Jets