KONA, Hawaii – Michael Mendonca of Cross Lake will be among 1,500 athletes from around the world competing in the 1996 Ironman World Championship.

Mendonca’s name was drawn out of 2,000 applicants for the Ironman Lottery, which awards 150 spots to U.S. athletes, allowing the lottery winners to compete with some of the world’s elite athletes without having to formally qualify.