Lukas Verzbicas Competes At Carlsbad Triathlon

American Lukas Verzbicas continued his comeback at the weekend's Carlsbad Triathlon in Carlsbad, Calif.

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American Lukas Verzbicas continued his comeback at the weekend’s Carlsbad Triathlon in Carlsbad, Calif.

Almost 1,000 athletes ages 14- to 90-years-old participated in the 32ndannual Carlsbad Triathlon on Sunday, July 14 at Tamarack Beach.

Completing the 1K swim, 25K bike, and 5K run in just under one hour and ten minutes, 20-year-old Lukas Verzbicas of Chula Vista came in first. The triathlon was his first athletic competition since a spinal cord injury less than a year ago.

Verzbicas said he injured his back about 11 months ago in an accident and was paralyzed for two weeks. After an operation that fused a portion of his spine, he has worked to regain his strength to continue pushing towards his Olympic triathlon goals.

“Being paralyzed, I don’t think it can get any worse,” he said after the triathlon.

He said it was exciting to win, but more than that, “It’s just encouraging for me to be back (competing).”

Read more: Thecoasstnews.com

PHOTOS – Project 2016: Lukas Verzbicas

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