When Ryan Van Praet competes at the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida this Saturday, he’ll be gunning for a world title as a visually impaired triathlete.

Competing as one of a handful of paratriathletes alongside 1,800 able-bodied athletes from around the world might be intimidating for some people, but not for the 30-year-old Ottawa resident, who doesn’t want anyone to think of him differently.

“We all have the same physical battle,” he said. “And as far as training, we can do it just like everyone else. And we’re out to beat you, so don’t feel sorry for us. And if you don’t watch, we’ll kick you in the butt.”

Now a member of the national paratriathlon team, Van Praet didn’t always compete as paratriathlete. Born with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease, Van Praet’s eyesight deteriorates as he gets older. He now has eight per cent of normal vision.

He got into triathlon in 2000 and competed in six Ironman events as a solo athlete before making the switch to paratriathlon last year. He now tandem bikes and is tethered to a guide for swimming and running. Last summer, the two competed in the Ironman at Lake Placid, where they finished second.

“For us, it’s about competing on the same stage as all the able-bodied athletes and putting up a respectable performance,” he said. “We’re competitors.”

Van Praet has always loved sports, but most of them became impossible to participate in as he gradually lost his sight.

“Triathlon remained one of the things I could do,” he said. “I refuse to let this one go as well. This is a sport I really enjoy and there is no reason why I had to give this one up. There’s so much that triathlon gives you – challenge, fitness and friends. I’m very goal-oriented and triathlon was great for me. You’re doing the same challenge that others are doing, and it gives you that extra sense of pride.”