Dr Tony Best Inducted Into Ironman In Australia Hall Of Fame

Dr Best became the 22^nd inductee, now sitting alongside those who have made a significant and lasting impact on Ironman in Australia over the years.

Dr Best has played an integral role in Ironman events both in Australia and overseas for many years, with his position as Medical Director key to the ongoing success of the events, and the safety of athletes. Best initially became involved with Ironman Western Australia in early 2003 with the inaugural event staged in Busselton in November 2004.

“I think it's a fantastic award and quite humbling to get an award,” said Best. “I think it's just a recognition of me as one of the volunteers who's been prepared to put in the time over the years and the enjoyment of it all, it's recognition of doing that as much as anything.”

From 2004 Best has acted as volunteer Medical Director for Ironman Western Australia. Since that initial role he has also volunteered as Medical Director for other triathlon and Ironman events including Ironman 70.3 Busselton (since 2015), the Port to Pub Swim (since 2016) and the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon from 2010 to 2014.

He has also been involved in a medical role in the Ironman World Championship on two occasions, in 2005 and 2011, as well as other events including Ironman Australia, Ironman South Africa, Ironman Melbourne, Ironman Cairns and Ironman Malaysia.

Best is one of just a handful of non-athletes now a part of the Ironman Australia Hall of Fame.

“It surprised me that I was inducted, I thought Geoff Meyer when he rang me had the wrong number, but very honoured to be inducted particularly in the high esteem some might hold some of the athletes in the Hall of Fame,” he said.

He’s enjoyed being a part of the growth of Ironman Western Australia since its inception, with the event now an iconic race on the global Ironman calendar.

“The event has gone through multiple changes of not necessarily ownership but who's running the event, over time the event has always got bigger and bigger and become more professional both from an athlete and the running of the event point of view,” said Best.

As well as being a part of Ironman events at home, Best has also got to experience how the medical services are delivered at other events around the world.

“It's just been good to see how things are done at other events and to help share my knowledge and improve my knowledge as well,” he said. “Particularly overseas in the way that the medical system works and how it integrates with the event itself and the medical team in the event. It's just always good to travel as well, I enjoy the travel part of it as well and meeting people from overseas.”