Sports
Local Lifeguard Gets Bragging Rights for Life in Upset Ironman Win
An L.A. County lifeguard takes down the longtime champ.
Six-time American Ironman champion Matt Nunnally of Monmouth County, N.J. said goodbye to his title as Manhattan Beach native and resident Jeff Lombardo upset him to win the American Ironman Open division at the 44th annual Nautica United States Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships Saturday in Manhattan Beach.
Lombardo, a Los Angeles County Lifeguard who earned 20 points for his team with his victory, was more than pleased with the outcome, proclaiming bragging rights for life.
“I’m on such a high right now,” stated Lombardo. “This is my biggest athletic accomplishment of my life. It’s amazing to do it in my hometown and home course and in front of my family and friends.”
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Hundreds of fans watched the final-day action Saturday, cheering from the sand just south of the pier as the 33-year-old former water polo player overtook Nunnally and teammate Jeff Hart and never looked back. The ironman event features a 1,400-meter course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, a solo surf boat and a beach sprint finish.
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