Chamba, the Spaniard, runner-up in the 2025 Ultraman in Hawaii
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Spaniard Juan Bautista Castilla “Chamba” was proclaimed runner-up of the Ultraman World Championships 2025 in Hawaii after three days of pure endurance, with final victory for Max Kniazeu.
Chamba secures a brilliant runner-up finish at the Ultraman World Championships 2025
El Ultraman World Championships 2025 He once again turned the Big Island into the world center of ultra-endurance.
Among the most anticipated names was that of the Spaniard Juan Bautista Castilla “Chamba”, world champion in 2024 and one of the favorites to repeat his victory. His presence added a special incentive to an edition marked by the heat, the shifting winds, and the extreme difficulty of the Hawaiian volcanic terrain.
For three days, the athletes faced the 515 kilometers The classic course consists of a 10km swim, a 421km bike ride, and a final double marathon. This format demands a lot from both body and mind, and in 2025 it once again produced images of pure athletic prowess.
Stage 1: A solid start that puts Chamba in the fight
The race began with the 10km swim between Kailua Bay y Keauhou, a segment always unpredictable due to the force of ocean currents.
Chamba got out of the water in 3:22:11, placing him more than 19 minutes behind the first leader of the day, the Russian Max Kniazeu (3: 03: 52).
The Spaniard reacted on the 145km cycling leg, one of his strengths. With a time of 5:11:50, marked a significant change of pace that allowed him to close the first day in 3st position, with a cumulative total of 8:34:01.
| Position Day 1 | Full Name | Weather day 1 | Total Event Time |
| 1 | Max Kniazev | 8:14:01 | 27:27:36 |
| 2 | Juan Bautista “Chamba” Castilla | 8:34:01 | 31:31:37 |
| 3 | David Matheson | 8:53:24 | 34:54:34 |
| 4 | Terumasa Matsuo | 8:53:26 | 24:01:54 |
| 5 | Álvaro Núñez Alfaro | 9:55:11 | 25:59:23 |
| 6 | fernando lopez | 9:58:06 | 27:47:33 |
| 7 | Martin Le Bleis | 10:04:07 | 28:03:58 |
| 8 | Kenna Supkis (F) | 10:12:18 | 29:26:44 |
| 9 | Ana Gallardo Ávila (F) | 10:46:42 | 29:43:44 |
| 10 | Steven Scot Bono | 11:29:44 | 32:34:53 |
Stage 2: 276 km key to climbing to second position
The second stage, entirely on the bike, proved decisive once again. The 276 km between Volcanoes National Park and Keauhou Bay combined fast sections, crosswinds, and a final uphill stretch where significant time gaps are often established.
Chamba acknowledged that the first half of the route was tough: high speed and an uncomfortable wind that made riding difficult. Even so, he maintained a smart pace and waited for the terrain to change.
In the second part of the day he felt much stronger and completed the segment in 8:08:54, surpassing the Canadian David Matheson and now positioning itself in 2nd position overall.
At the close of the day, it had accumulated 16:42:55, only behind the solid leader Kniazeu (14:56:24).
| Position Day 2 | Full Name | Weather day 2 | Total Event Time |
| 1 | Max Kniazev | 7:09:12 | 27:27:36 |
| 2 | Terumasa Matsuo | 8:26:03 | 24:01:54 |
| 3 | Juan Bautista “Chamba” Castilla | 8:48:43 | 31:31:37 |
| 4 | David Matheson | 9:56:27 | 34:54:34 |
| 5 | Álvaro Núñez Alfaro | 10:55:18 | 25:59:23 |
| 6 | fernando lopez | 11:05:11 | 27:47:33 |
| 7 | Martin Le Bleis | 11:24:04 | 28:03:58 |
| 8 | Ramiro De Jesus Gutierrez Piedra | 11:37:01 | 33:52:05 |
| 9 | Scott McDermott | 11:54:06 | 34:34:50 |
| 10 | Jennifer Uy (F) | 11:57:28 | 34:08:05 |
Stage 3: A double marathon of mental strength to secure a podium finish
The last day brought with it the mythical 84,4 km of foot raceA double marathon that always tests the mental resilience of athletes. Chamba recorded an excellent time of 6:48:42, the third best time of the day, running steadily and without suffering major fainting spells.
That final effort allowed him to seal the world runner-upcompleting Ultraman 2025 in 23:31:37He couldn't close the gap with Kniazeu, but he did secure his place among the best.
| Position Day 3 | Full Name | Weather day 3 | Total Event Time |
| 1 | Terumasa Matsuo | 6:35:27 | 24:01:54 |
| 2 | Max Kniazev | 9:51:36 | 27:27:36 |
| 3 | Juan Bautista “Chamba” Castilla | 12:22:48 | 31:31:37 |
| 4 | Álvaro Núñez Alfaro | 7:08:45 | 25:59:23 |
| 5 | Martin Le Bleis | 7:28:07 | 28:03:58 |
| 6 | fernando lopez | 7:45:27 | 27:47:33 |
| 7 | Ana Gallardo Ávila (F) | 9:18:17 | 29:43:44 |
| 8 | David Matheson | 11:00:25 | 34:54:34 |
| 9 | Steven Scot Bono | 9:03:04 | 32:34:53 |
| 10 | Melissa Paukouski (F) | 10:42:02 | 34:14:06 |
Official podium of the Ultraman World Championships 2025
| Pos | Athlete | Country | Total time |
| 1 | Max Kniazeu | RUS | 21:27:36 |
| 2 | Juan Bautista Castilla “Chamba” | ESP | 23:31:37 |
| 3 | Terumasa Matsuda | JPN | 23:54:54 |
| 4 | David Matheson | CAN | 24:01:31 |
| 5 | Álvaro Núñez Alfaro | ESP | 25:59:23 |
| 6 | Fernando López | USA | 27:33:25 |
| 7 | Martin Le Bleis | From | 28:03:58 |
| 8 | Kenna Supkis (F) | USA | 29:24:25 |
| 9 | Ana Gallardo Ávila (F) | MEX | 29:42:36 |
| 10 | Steven Scot Bono | USA | 32:34:53 |
The Russian Kniazeu proved unbeatable from the first day, setting new partial records and maintaining an unwavering pace throughout the three days.
Complete results https://ultramanworlds.com/results/ultraman-world-championships-2025/
Kenna Supkis, wins in women
In the women's category, the victory went to Kenna Supkis, who dominated the three days of competition with authority and became the new champion of the Ultraman World Championships 2025.
The American completed the journey in 29:24:25She perfectly managed the accumulated fatigue and maintained a very consistent pace in the final double marathon. Following her was the Mexican runner. Ana Gallardo Ávila achieved a fantastic second position with 29:42:36While Jennifer Uy She completed the women's podium in 34:00:05.
Spaniards in the test
Spain had a strong presence at this edition of Ultraman 2025 with four representatives on the Big Island. In addition to the runner-up finish in Juan Bautista Castilla “Chamba”They delivered a brilliant performance
Álvaro Núñez Alfaro, fifth overall with a final time of 25:59:23,.
A result that reinforces Chamba's legacy
Although he was unable to retain the title this time, Chamba He once again demonstrated why he is one of the biggest names in world ultra-endurance. Intelligent on the bike, consistent on the run, and able to read the race when it matters most, the Spaniard delivered an outstanding performance.
His runner-up finish confirms his place among the best specialists on the planet and extends a career that continues to grow edition after edition.
