Born in Taiwan and now living in Northern California, Yu holds the record for the fastest time in an Ironman 70.3 event by a Taiwanese triathlete. He achieved that honor with a personal best time of 3:58:53 at the 2020 Ironman 70.3 Taiwan event, which he won. Yu balances a pro triathlon career with his work as a mechanical design engineer in Silicon Valley. His determination and grit has earned him respect from his peers in the endurance sport community. One example of Yu's never-quit attitude came at the 2014 Ironman 70.3 Vineman in California. Yu crashed on his bike 20 miles in, injuring his knee with several lacerations. Refusing to give in, he fought on to finish in the top-10 with a time of 4:09:23.

TeamTriathletes
HometownHsinchu, Taiwan
ResidesCupertino, California
BornMarch 15, 1990
Top Results

2021: Ironman 70.3 Kenting (Taiwan) champion

2020: Ironman 70.3 Taiwan champion (Taiwanese 70.3 record, 3:58:53); 11th at Ironman Florida (Taiwanese record, 8:36:05)

2019: 12th at Ironman 70.3 St. George, Utah; Chicago Marathon 2:26:05

Career GoalsStay healthy, get better at swimming, break 3:50 in 70.3 events, and qualify for Ironman World Championships.
Favorite bikeTrinity Advanced Pro, it's a rocket!
Favorite eventWildflower Long Course in California. It’s got the craziest bike course with the roughest roads, crazy hills, crosswinds, and the most epic run course mostly on trail. Reminds me of running around my hometown trails in Cupertino.
How did you start in triathlon?I joined the triathlon club at UCLA during my first year of college and fell in love with the grassroots atmosphere of the sport. Seeing people with mountain bikes or 20-year-old road bike just hammering in races is really inspiring.
What do you carry on a long ride?Three Clif Bars, 2-3 Maurten gels, 3x 24oz bottle of water, phone. And nowadays, a mask, hand sanitizer, credit card and cash.
Indoor cycling or brave winter cold?Depends on how bad it is. But I live in California so I have to say brave the winter conditions.
Favorite place to trainCupertino, California
Dream vacation spotNever been, but would love to go to Girona, Spain
Films or TV you loveOcean’s 11, Ocean’s 12, Ocean’s 13, and Dark Knight Rises
Favorite bookDraft Animals by Phil Gaimon. I can relate to a lot of the struggles that aspiring pro athletes have trying to prove themselves.
Words to live byA race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of understanding. - Steve Prefontaine