Visually Impaired Para‑Triathlete · Ironman Finisher

Khalid
Oshman

World's first visually impaired athlete to complete five IRONMAN 70.3 events. South Asian Games gold medalist. Motivational speaker turning loss of sight into a story of resilience, mental strength, and second chances.

Khalid Oshman
🏅 South Asian Games Gold Medalist — Blind Boxing
5
Ironman 70.3 Finishes
3
Gold Medals
220km
Ultra X Jordan Desert Run
4
Full Marathons
10+
Years of Advocacy
His Story

From Losing Sight to
Finding Purpose

Khalid Oshman running Khalid Oshman finishing Ironman 70.3

Born in Kuwait and later adopted by a Sri Lankan family, Khalid Oshman's life was shaped early by values of service, determination, and excellence. That foundation would be tested in ways few people ever face.

At the age of 26, Khalid lost his eyesight due to medical negligence — an experience that required rebuilding life from the ground up. A suicide survivor, his life has been shaped by multiple second chances, and that journey has since been transformed into one of strength and purpose.

"Today, the focus remains on inspiring and empowering others to overcome limitations, push boundaries, and strive toward becoming the best version of themselves."

Through endurance sports and personal storytelling, Khalid actively promotes resilience, mental strength, and perseverance — becoming the first visually impaired individual from Sri Lanka to compete in five IRONMAN 70.3 events and complete marathons in Paris, Singapore, Japan, Jordan, and Sri Lanka.

Sports Achievements

A Career Built on Firsts

Sri Lanka · 2025

IRONMAN 70.3 — 1st in Physically Challenged Category

  • World's and Sri Lanka's first visually impaired athlete to complete 5 Ironman 70.3 events
  • Qualified for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship — September 2026
Vietnam · 2023

IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam

  • Finishing time — 5h 45 mins
Goa, India · 2019

IRONMAN 70.3 Goa

  • Placed 24th in age group 30–35 years
  • Finishing time — 6h 43 mins
Sri Lanka · 2019 & 2018

IRONMAN 70.3 Sri Lanka

Jordan · 2025

Ultra X Jordan Marathon — 220km, 5 Days (Desert Run)

  • World's and Sri Lanka's first visually impaired athlete to complete an Ultra X marathon event
Ironman finish Race finish Ultra X Jordan
Bhutan · 2025 — 05th South Asian Games

Sri Lanka's First Visually Impaired Boxer

  • Blind Boxing — Gold Medal
  • 5km Run — Gold Medal
India · 2024 — 04th South Asian Games
  • Blind Boxing — Gold Medal
  • 5km Run — Silver Medal
Blind boxing training Tandem cycling Cycling event

Japan Marathon — 2025

Singapore Marathon — 2019

  • Finished 761st

Paris Marathon — 2019

  • General athletes category — Finishing time 4h 22 mins

LSR Marathon — 2018

  • General athletes category
Half Marathons
  • ICA International Half Marathon — 21.1km — 2025 & 2024
  • Arugambay Half Marathon — 2023 & 2019 (general athletes category)
  • CCR Half Marathon — 2019
ICA International Half Marathon Half marathon night race Trail race
National Para Athletics — 2024

100m Sprint — Gold Medal

National Para Athletics — 2021

5km Run — First Place, 100% Blind Category

National Para Swimming — 2024

50m Breaststroke · 100m Freestyle · 400m Freestyle

2025 & 2024

Mercantile Athletic & Swimming Meet

  • Represented SriLankan Airlines Limited
2025, 2024 & 2023

Mt. Lavinia 2 Mile Sea Swim

Boxing training Team eventAward ceremony
2022

Blind T20 World Cup — Semi-Final Round

2022

Pro‑Am Tri Series — Sprint Distance Triathlon (General Category)

2022

Fort2Fort III Charity Cycle

  • Rode with a ladies team to empower women in sport and create inclusivity; guide was a female cyclist
2021

Para Indoor Rowing Championship (General Category)

2020

Ceyendurance Sprint Triathlon (General Category)

2019

Travel Trade Swimming Event (General Category)

2018

Pro‑Am Tri Series Sprint Triathlon & Around the Pearl (Final Two Stages)

Charity cycle group Tandem cycling Cycling
Professional Experience

Experience & Education

After the Incident

Customer Service Officer

SriLankan Aviation College — SriLankan Airlines Limited · 2016 – Present
  • Manage and respond to daily customer inquiries
  • Maintain and monitor customer service databases
  • Provide support to internal and external stakeholders
  • Conduct motivational and awareness sessions for students of SriLankan Aviation College
Before the Incident

First Aid Coordinator

Red Cross Society — City Branch · 2006 – 2012
  • Coordinated first aid services and community health-based events
  • Led Disaster Preparedness programmes
  • Chairman of the Sri Lankan Red Cross Youth (City Branch)
Education

Bachelor of International Business Management (BIBM)

IPAC School of Management, France · 2024 – 2025

Core Strengths
Customer Service Excellence
Resilience & Mental Strength
Motivational Speaking & Storytelling
Community Leadership & Social Impact
Endurance Sports & Performance Discipline
Training & Mentorship
Motivational Speaking

Trusted to Speak On Resilience & Purpose

Companies & Institutes

Sri Lanka Army · Hayleys · Eyepax · Suez Group · OTV Violia · Unilever Hemas · WurthLanka · "I See You" Movement · SriLankan Aviation College · SriLankan Airlines Limited

Clubs

Triathlon Club Colombo · Leo Club of Nawala

Schools

L'École Française Internationale de Colombo (EFIC) · Overseas School of Colombo · Elizabeth Moir School · Zahira College, Colombo (Chief Guest) · The Ceylon School for the Blind, Rathmalana (Chief Guest)

Khalid speaks on resilience, mental strength, and turning setbacks into second chances — for corporates, schools, and community organizations.

Invite Khalid to Speak
Charity & Fundraising

Turning Endurance Into Impact

April 2026 · Colombo

Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka — Half Marathon

Supporting the Rebuild Sri Lanka Project — turning every step into a step toward recovery and progress.

February 2026 · Galle

Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka — Half Marathon

Supporting the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund and promoting physical fitness.

2025 & 2024

ICA International Half Marathon — 21.1km

Supporting local Sri Lankan CSR initiatives, including organ donation awareness, orphan care, and environmental projects.

2013 – 2026

Run for Their Lives (RFTL) — Annual Charity Run

Supporting cancer patients by purchasing life-saving medicine and equipment.

2022

Beyond the Pedals

10km charity cycling rally organized by the Rotaract Club of Colombo in aid of De Zoysa Maternity Hospital.

2016

Trail As One

A 28-day, 670km charity walk from Point Pedro to Dondra Head, targeting $5 million for a new cancer treatment center at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle.

2016

Ride for Sight

A 20km bike ride around Colombo to raise funds for mobile eye unit construction.

2015

Walk for Sight

A 17-day, 330km walk from the east to west coast of Sri Lanka to raise funds for mobile eye unit construction.

Children (Hatton): Educational items, lunch & evening tea for 20 kids
Children (Colombo): Organized lunch for 85 children
Adults (Jaffna): Lunch and an evening of music for 30 people
Special Needs (Rajagiriya): Hygiene kits for 30 men and women
Mt. Lavinia & Kolonnawa Hospitals: Baby items for 20 pregnant women in need
In the Media

Podcasts, Documentaries & Press

Road to Ironman documentary
Documentary

Road to Ironman — Episode 5

A documentary by Carnage following Khalid's Ironman journey.

Podcast appearance
Podcast

Ashen Sri Lanka & iFilm Sri Lanka

Conversations on resilience, sport, and second chances.

Photoshoot and advertisement
Photoshoot & Campaign

Carnage Photoshoot & Rexona Advertisement

Related to IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo 2026.

News feature
News Feature

Sirasa News First — Ultra X Jordan Challenge

Khalid Oshman and Nadika Hiran complete the grueling Ultra X challenge in Jordan.

Award ceremony
News Feature

Beyond the Youth — Breaking Barriers

"Your toughest challenge is your greatest strength" — Sirasa News First.

Community talk
Community Talk

"I See You" Movement

Panel discussion and community engagement on visibility and inclusion.

Get In Touch

Book Khalid for Your
Next Event

Available for motivational talks, corporate wellness sessions, school assemblies, and media features on resilience, endurance sport, and inclusion.

Phone
+94 77 80 51 951
Email
oshmanavery@gmail.com
Location
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Email Khalid