Jonas Deichmann

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the German adventurer and extreme athlete. For German footwear retailer, see Deichmann SE.

Jonas Deichmann
Jonas Deichmann (2020)
Born (1987-04-15) 15 April 1987 (age 37)
Stuttgart, Germany
EducationMaster of Science in Economics and Business Administration
Alma materCopenhagen Business School
Jönköping International Business School
Occupations
Known forWorld's first triathlon around the world
Multiple world records.
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in) [1][2]
Websitejonasdeichmann.com

Jonas Deichmann, born 15 April 1987 in Stuttgart, is a German author, adventurer, extreme athlete, and holder of multiple world records in cycling and endurance. Jonas has completed a triathlon around the world covering a distance of 120 long-distance triathlons (approximately 456 km of swimming, 21600 km of cycling and 5064 km running).[3][4][5][6][7]

During this journey, he gained international notoriety as the "German Forrest Gump".[8][3][9][6][10] The book about his journey "Das Limit bin nur ich" is a bestseller. Prior to his triathlon around the world, he set multiple cycling records from Norway to South Africa, Alaska to Argentina, and across Eurasia.[11][12][13][14][15][7]

Early life[edit]

Jonas Deichmann was born on 15 April 1987 in Stuttgart, a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. During his childhood the family moved to the Black Forest where he grew up in Grunbach and Pforzheim and attended economics-oriented Fritz Erler high school in Pforzheim.

After high school, he studied International Business in Sweden, Brazil, Singapore, Denmark and India. He completed a BSc in Business Administration and Economics at Jönköping International Business School in 2012 followed by a master's degree from Copenhagen Business School in 2014. After university he returned to Germany and worked as a sales manager for a Swedish software company in Munich.[4]

Jonas grandfather moved from Germany to West Africa, settled in Guinea,[16] started working as a snake catcher and sailing around the world. According to Jonas, the grandfather was a big childhood influence and a hero figure who sparked Jonas' thirst for adventure.[17][18]

Expeditions[edit]

Cabo da Roca, Portugal to Vladivostok, Russia[edit]

Jonas Deichmann during the triathlon around the world
Jonas Deichmann photographed in the Rocky Mountains in 2023

In summer 2017 he cycled the 14331 km long route from Cabo da Roca in Portugal to Vladivostok in Russia in 64 days, 2 hours and 25 minutes setting a new world record for the fastest cycling across Eurasia.[19][13] During the journey he also set a new world record for the fastest cycling across Europe from Cabo da Roca to Ufa in Russia in 25 days, 3 hours and 38 minutes.[13][20]

Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina[edit]

From the 19 August 2018 to 24 November 2018 he cycled the 23112 km long Panamericana from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina in a new record time of 97 days.[21][7] He completed his journey unsupported with the help of a team or support vehicle.[12]

Capenorth, Norway to Cape Town, South Africa[edit]

From 8 September to 19 November he completed the approximately 18000 km long journey from North Cape in Norway to Cape Town in South Africa on his bicycle in a new record time of 72 days, 7 hours and 27 minutes. He was 30 days faster than the prior record holder.[21][14][15][7]

In Egypt, Jonas was put in an prison cell in order to avoid a terrorist attack.[22] In Ethiopia, he biked through an active conflict zone where people threw stones and sticks at him.[23]

Triathlon around Germany[edit]

On 23 August 2020 he completed a triathlon around Germany, covering a distance of 16-times Ironman.[24] He started in Lindau at Lake Constance and swam 60 km across the lake. He then cycled clockwise around Germany until the town of Zwiesel in Bavaria and the ran the final 675 km back to Lindau where he arrived after 31 days. The journey was a training and test for a triathlon around the world („Triathlon 360-degree") to which Deichmann started on 26 September 2020 in Munich.[24]

Across the Alps to Karlobag, Croatia[edit]

He first cycled across the Alps to Karlobag in Croatia and then swam 456 km along the coast to Dubrovnik in 54 days.[6][25] He completed the swim without a support boat and pulled a self designed raft with his supplies.[6][26] He beat the prior record for the longest swim without a support by Sean Conway who had swum 200 km along the British coast.[26]

Dubrovnik to Vladivostok[edit]

From Dubrovnik he cycled to Vladivostok on the Russian Pacific after his original route further South was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5][6] In Siberia he faced temperatures below −30 °C and reached the Pacific in May.[6][7]

North America[edit]

Jonas Deichmann in Mexico, during round-the-world triathlon

For the running section he changed plans again since the US and Canada had closed their borders. Instead he ran across Mexico from Tijuana in Baja California to Cancun in Quintana Roo.[9][10][26] He completed the 5064 km long route in 117 days, covering more than one marathon a day.[7]

During his running he become nationally known as the „German Forrest Gump" and was partly followed by police escort, media live coverage and people from Mexico who joined his run.[10][6][9][8][3] From Cancun he flew to Lisbon in Portugal and cycled back to Munich.[6]

After 429 days, he completed his around the world journey on 29 November 2021. The distance was approximately 120 long-distance triathlons.[4][5][6][25][7][26] After the journey, he appeared in talkshows, published a book „Das Limit bin nur ich" (in German) and a documentary film with the same name.[4]

In November 2023, he completed a double crossing of the US, calling it "Trans America Twice." He covered over 11,000km, going from New York City to Los Angeles by bike, then returned from Los Angeles to New York City by foot. He completed his journey by running the New York City Marathon.[27]

Challenge 120[edit]

Jonas plans to complete 120 long-distance triathlons in 120 consecutive days, starting on 9th May, 2024.[28][29][30] It will be a daily routine of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling, and 42 km running. By the end of the challenge, it will add up to 456 km of swimming, 21 000 km of biking, and 5 063 km of running.[31][32][33]

Philanthropy[edit]

During his expeditions, Jonas has partnered with multiple charities. He has raised funds for Oxfam to draw attention to climate change as well as for World Bicycle Relief to donate bicycles in Africa.[34][35][36][37][38] The first fundraising for World Bicycle Relief contributed towards 200,000 USD for 1,000 bikes to school children and community health volunteers in several African countries.[39] Jonas has also spearheaded fundraising campaigns for German organizations, notably contributing to the German Youth Fire Brigade and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.[40]

Awards[edit]

Filmography[edit]

  • Das Limit bin nur ich by Ravir Film. A movie about Jonas Deichmann completing the world's longest triathlon. The movie premiered at DOK.fest München on 8 May 2022 and was subsequently released in German cinemas starting on 19 May.[45][46] Das Limit bin nur ich won awards at several movie festivals around the world.[47][48][49]
  • Cape to Cape (2020). Cycled Media.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Crossing America: Auf dem Rad von New York nach Los Angeles und zurück in 100 Ultramarathons (2023). Gräfe und Unzer Verlag. ISBN 9783846409909; ISBN 3846409901
  • Der Schokoriegel Effekt – mit einfachen Mitteln große Ziele erreichen (2023). Gräfe und Unzer Verlag. ISBN 9783833888168
  • Das Limit bin nur ich – Der Bildband (2022). Polyglott Verlag. ISBN 9783846409220
  • Das Limit bin nur ich: Wie ich als erster Mensch die Welt im Triathlon umrundete (2021). Polyglott Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8464-0801-8
  • Cape to Cape: In Rekordzeit mit dem Fahrrad vom Nordkap bis nach Südafrika (2020). Delius Klasing Verlag. ISBN 978-3-667-11967-4

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Jonas Deichmann y 'El límite soy yo'". Culturamas (in Spanish). 15 May 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Jonas Deichmann". Lightweight. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Selfies with Mexican cartel, dodging giant Russian trucks – Jonas Deichmann takes on Forrest Gump-like following during global triathlon". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Triathlon around the world – Circumnavigating the globe with Jonas Deichmann: book and documentary coming soon". Gran Fondo. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Deichmann completes the first ever round the world triathlon". Marca. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "What You Missed: "German Forrest Gump" Completes Round-the-World Triathlon". Outside. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Jonas Deichmann: Meet the man who swam, bike and ran the world". 220 Triathlon. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Jonas Deichmann's incredible story: The real life Forrest Gump who seeks to travel around the world". Marca. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Go the distance with endurance athlete Jonas Deichmann". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Jonas Deichmann, the German "Forrest Gump", finally arrived in Cancun". The Yucatan Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Around the world via human power during Covid-19 – cyclist searches for best route while battling travel and border restrictions". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Cyclist on quest to set world record by riding from Arctic Ocean to Argentina in under 125 days". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "JIBS Alumnus Jonas Deichmann sets 2 new Guinness World Records". Jönköping University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Jonas Deichmann Sets New North Cape to Cape Town Record". Bikepacking. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Record ride: From the north of Europe to the south of Africa in 72 days". Cycling Tips. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  16. ^ Ince, Hüseyin (8 December 2021). "Aus München aus eigener Kraft um die Welt: Jonas Deichmann erzählt". Abendzeitung München (in German). Abendzeitung. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  17. ^ Fabig, Rupert (2 September 2022). "Jonas Deichmann umrundete die Erde in 430 Tagen – per Triathlon". Hamburger Abendblatt (in German). Hamburger Abendblatt. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  18. ^ Schmitz, Nico-Marius (12 March 2020). "Der Münchner Jonas Deichmann lebt als Extremsportler auf seinem Rad". Merkur.de (in German). Münchner Merkur. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Fastest bicycle journey across Eurasia". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Eurasia Challenge – Jonas Deichmann knackt ersten Weltrekord!" (in German). Road Cycling. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  21. ^ a b "German ultracyclist breaks 18,000km Cape to Cape record by 30 days". Road CC. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  22. ^ "The Man Who Lives on a Bike". ISPO.com. ISPO. 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023. one night in a prison cell in Egypt. There is a police checkpoint every 30 kilometres, as the Egyptians are very afraid of terrorist attacks on tourists. Finally we agreed that I would sleep in a cell with the door open.
  23. ^ Schmitz, Nico-Marius (12 March 2020). "Der Münchner Jonas Deichmann lebt als Extremsportler auf seinem Rad". Merkur.de (in German). Münchner Merkur. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023. Wir befinden uns in Äthiopien, südlich von Addis Abeba, in Shashamane – eine Region der Volksgruppe Oromo, in der ein ethnischer Konflikt tobt. In Shashamane wird es brenzlig: Jugendliche Gruppen bewerfen ihn mit Steinen und stecken Stöcke in die Speichen seines Rads.
  24. ^ a b "3800 Kilometer zum Aufwärmen" (in German). Münchner Merkur. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Round-the-World Triathlete Completes 5,000km Run Leg". Explorers Web. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  26. ^ a b c d "Jonas Deichmann Completes World-Record-Breaking Triathlon Around the Globe". SwimSwam. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Trans America Twice: Adventurer Jonas Deichmann Covers 11,000 KM By Bike And Foot". 15 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  28. ^ Jakobsson, Oscar (3 February 2024). "Jonas Deichmanns världsrekordförsök: 120 Iron Man på 120 dagar". Nyheter från Sveriges största nyhetssajt (in Swedish). Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  29. ^ Willeke, Stefan (10 April 2024). "Jonas Deichmann: Jeden Tag ein Iron Man. Ernsthaft?". Die Zeit (in German). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Jonas Deichmann's Ultimate Challenge: 120 Iron-distance Triathlons in 120 Days". Trizone. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Jonas Deichmann's Ultimate Challenge: 120 Iron-distance Triathlons in 120 Days". Trizone. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Jonas Deichmann to take on 120 long-distance triathlons in 120 days". Welcome to 220 Triathlon. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  33. ^ Mackinnon, Kevin (5 February 2024). "German adventurer to do Challenge Roth course 120 days in a row to break record previously held by the Iron Cowboy". Triathlon Magazine Canada. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  34. ^ Uthoff, Jens (1 January 2022). "Gespräch mit Triathlet Jonas Deichmann: „Das Härteste ist das Mentale"". taz.de (in German). Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann runs 120 Marathons across Mexico as part of the first Triathlon around the world". Trizone. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  36. ^ Fehr, Reto (29 November 2021). "Wahlschweizer schafft nach 430 Tagen ersten Monster-Triathlon um die Welt". watson.ch (in German). Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Double Cross: Jonas Deichmann to Cycle and Run Across America for Charity". Trizone. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  38. ^ Epton, Tom (17 December 2021). "A chat with Jonas Deichman". Pedal Cover. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  39. ^ Foundation, TDA (5 June 2017). "2 world records in 70 days by #EurasiaChallenge". FundRazr. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  40. ^ Held, Vera (1 February 2024). "Weltrekordversuch: 120-mal Challenge Roth in 120 Tagen". Bayerischer Rundfunk (in German). Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024. Denn mit der Aktion sammelt Deichmann Geld für den guten Zweck, teilt das Team Challenge mit. So würden die Jugendfeuerwehren im Landkreis Roth sowie die "Laureus Sport for Good Stiftung" unterstützt.
  41. ^ "21st Century Adventurer Award 2023 winner announced". Outdoor Industry Compass. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  42. ^ "21st Century Adventurer Award". EOFT. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Prisutdelning och inspirerande panelsamtal när årets alumner firades". Jönköping University (in Swedish). 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Award Ceremony and inspiring panel discussion as this year's alumni were celebrated". Jönköping University. 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  45. ^ "Home Selection: Jonas Deichmann – Das Limit Bin Nur Ich". DOK.fest München. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Presseheft: Das Limit Bin Nur Ich" (PDF). Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  47. ^ Azad, Navid Nikkhah (22 October 2022). "Winners for 2022 Warsaw International Film Festival unveiled". DEED. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  48. ^ "Three adrenaline-filled films in the program "Extreme" of the 27th Sofia International Film Festival". Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  49. ^ "German Films, Festival Highlights 2023: Berlin · Rotterdam · Sundance · Tallinn · Warsaw" (PDF). Retrieved 22 October 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Jonas Deichmann.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jonas Deichmann.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jonas_Deichmann&oldid=1220017712"