Published in Sun Star Newspaper on August 3, 2012 Friday issue
by Iste S. Leopoldo, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor
SOME of Cebu’s young triathletes are geared up for this Saturday’s Alaska Ironkids Triathlon at the Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa.
This will be a tough race for the young participants because this will be the first time that the swim leg will be held in open water.
“For several years, the swim leg was just held in a pool. Nindot siya mintras bata pa sila, they start competing in an open water aron maanad na sila when the time comes when they compete in the Ironman. However, for kids they won’t be far from the shore because safety is our main concern,” Cebu coordinator Oscar Rodriguez said.
Alaska IronKids is the junior counterpart of the world-renowned triathlon event IronMan.
Cebu will be banking on Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) developmental team members Yuan and Justin Chiongbian and Nina Francesca Villaba along with Shaia Ruth Uy, Jezreel Tan, John Tan, Ana Patricia “Ica” Maximo, Aaliyah Matarugnon. The youngest participant is six-year-old Mikele Jopson, the daughter of veteran triathletes Noy and Amale.
According to Milette, Yuan and Justin’s mother, her sons are ready to compete against easoned young triathletes in the country.
“Yuan and Justin are very excited to race, though, anxious and hoping there won’t be mechanical problems in the bike like a flat. They also aim to beat their personal best and be mature in this sport,” Millete said.
On the other hand, 12-year-old Matarugnon of Sacred Heart School-Hijas, who just joined triathlon this year and topped the 11-12 years age group of the National Age Group Triathlon (Nagt) race, is doing minimal training for this week and as well as schoolmate Ica Maximo.
Maximo took the 13-14 age group title in the Talisay Triathlon and in the Congressman Red Triathlon Leg 1.
Mikele Jopson is also eyeing another podium finish after winning first place in the NAGT supertrikids and second in the Moonyeen Durano Triathlon Cup supertrikids.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 03, 2012.
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