JAPAN won six of nine gold medals at stake in the 2026 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone yesterday.
The event was converted to duathlon (2.5km run-20km bike-5km run) after prolonged heavy rains made the water conditions in Subic Bay unsafe for athletes.
Keiichi Sato clocked 1:01:08 to prevail over compatriot Takumi Ando (1:03:56) and Uzbekistan’s Bakhtiyor Murtazayev (1:05:01) in the men’s PTS5 (mild impairment) category race that started and ended at Waterfront Road.
“My weak point is swimming. I like running and biking so this is advantage for me,” said the 47-year-old Sato, who hails from Nagoya which will host the 20th Asian Games.
“I plan to join more tournaments to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, that is my goal,” added Sato, who placed 11th at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Group shot of all the medalists of the 2026 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Japan won six of the 9 gold medals. (Photo source – Triathlon Philippines, photo credit – Pet Salvador)
Meanwhile, Filipino Alex Silverio delivered a bronze medal in the men’s PTS4 (moderate impairments). He clocked 1:08:36 behind Japan’s Hideki Uda (1:01:21) and Keiya Kaneko (1:06:41).
The other Japanese gold medalists in the tournament organized by Triathlon Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) were Yukako Hata (women’s PTS2), Masaki Fujita (men’s PTS3), Hideki Uda (men’s PTS4), Ryota Kashiki (men’s PT Visually Impaired) and Shiori Funamizu (women’s PT Wheelchair).
Uzbekistan’s Rustamjan Satiboldiyev (men’s PTS2) and Shokhsanam Sobirjonova (women’s PTS5) and Kyrgysztan’s Guinaz Zhuzbaeva (women’s PT Visually Impaired) also topped their respective categories in the competition sponsored by NTT, Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay in Action, Gatorade, Terrace Hotel, Western Guaranty Corp., Raceya, ENGINE 8 and CM Timing of Jay Cheng.
DIEGO Jose Dimayuga of Get Coach’d Academy and Lauren Lee Tan dominated the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) U15 Youth category held yesterday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Dimayuga finished the super sprint race (500m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run) in 35 minutes and 59 seconds. Teammate Pio Mishael Gabriel (36:31) placed second followed by Cebuano Joseph Ian Caluste of Be Tritans (36:58).
In the girls division, Tan clocked 38:25 to beat Naomi Dimayuga (39:10) and Alaina Bouffaut (40:15) in the event organized by Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) and supported by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), NTT, Gatorade (official hydration partner), Western Guaranty Corporation, C-Vitt and Subic Bay Travelers Hotel (official race hotel).
“I was sick for two weeks, I only had a week to train for this tournament,” said the 15-year-old Dimayuga, who lives in Silang, Cavite.
Diego Jose Dimayuga (right) during the 10-kilometer bike leg at Subic Bay. He emerged victorious in the Under-15 category with a time of 35 minutes and 39 seconds. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)
Lauren Lee Tan running on her way to victory during the race. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)
Dimayuga, Latonio and Caluste duplicated their performances at the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) last February.
Dimayuga, who made it to the national team at the start of the year, will join the Asian Youth Championships in Xuzhou, China next month.
“I’m excited to represent the country and my team (GCA). I’ll do my best to win,” said Dimayuga, a silver medalist at the Asia Triathlon Junior and U23 Championships in Hong Kong last March.
2026 SuBIT Under-15 champions Lauren Lee Tan and Diego Jose Dimayuga posed with their medals. (photo credit Rey Nillama)
Meanwhile, Qatari Anes Khelili clocked 1:06:36 to prevail over Jarius Miguel Mejia of De La Salle Zobel Triathlon Team (1:06:38) and Lorenzo Claur of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (1:06:48) in the standard men 16-19 years old category of the event also backed by Milo, Ford, Sante Barley, Gatorade, Western Guaranty Inc., C-vitt, Lemon Square Bakery Treats, Gardenia, Fitbar, Ecotrans and RaceYa.
The Top 3 finishers in the girls division were Naomi Felicity Aytin of BYBS/GAS Coaching (1:23:33), Fynley Quiban (1:25:25) and Keirstein Ann Marie Tigullo (1:27:23).
Champions in the super tri-kids category were Marcus Jayden Balaquit and Danica Mireille Angodung (11-12), Rey Matthew Tundayag and Maiko Aleno (9-10), Ethan Geronimo and Jan Christel Culanag (7-8), and Thirdy Geronimo and Lucia Ysabel Sarmenta (6-under).
The other gold medalists in standard age-group men’s division were Earl James Ting of Be Tritans (20-29), Samuel Ebuen Bada of Olongapo Junior Trackers Multisport (30-39), Raffy Dolor of Artemis-Victory (40-49), John Erich Taca of Team Megawide (50-59), and Diosdado Soriano of BOST (60-over) while in the women’s division were Jan Mikaela Caruncho of 2600 Tri Team (20-29), Sandra Inocillas-Pineda of Sante Barley Tri Team (30-39), Lady Ro Anne Alviar of UPLB Trantados (40-49) and Maria Beatriz Azcuna of Beer Racer Beer (50-over).
Bada won the gold with a time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 46 seconds (1:01:46). Japan’s Main Takata (1:02:10) and Filipino John Michael Lalimos (1:02:26) were second and third, respectively.
“I really want to win so I did my best,” said Bada, who finished third last year with a time of 1:03:22.
“The swim was very hard, the bike was challenging, I broke away early in the running stage,” he added.
Euan Arrow Ramos, the U15 super sprint champion last year, settled for eighth place with a time of 1:07:38. He dropped one of his shoes after the swim phase but still registered the fastest time of 33:08 in the bike phase. However, he ran out of energy in the running stage.
In the Junior Elite Women contest, Yukiho Okuma of Japan clocked 1:08:13 to prevail over Filipinos Anisha Eunice Caluya (1:11:18) and Aira Danara Gregorio (1:12:17).
National athlete Kira Ellis, who has a shin injury, did not finish the race. She clocked 10:16 in swimming and 34:36 in cycling but skipped the running phase as advised by her coaches and physical therapist.
Meanwhile, Dustine Dan Eslay of 2600 Baguio topped the men’s 16-19 category in 1:07:24. in the sprint age group category of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Century Tuna, Sante Barley, Milo and Gatorade as the official hydration partner.
Winners in the men’s standard age group were Andie Jimeno (18-24), Rafael Sawali (25-29), Tristan Rene Santos (30-34), Mike Kramer (35-39), Craig Douglas (40-44), Marvin Baldemor (45-49), Junrox Roque (50-54), JT Gonzales (55-59), Cristobal Olivas (60-over).
In the sprint para category, the gold medalists were Edison Badillo (men PTS2); Raul Angoluan (men PTS3); Alex Silverio (men PTS4); Jerome Nelmida and Shyrnel Amiladjid (men PTVI); and Steven and Audrey Coleman (special category).
Oshima, No. 25 in the continental ranking and 151st in the world, and teammate top seed Maeda Ryousuke paced together the grind with Kazakh Daryn Konysbayev closing on them in the run stage.
Oshima, whose most recent podium finish was 2nd place in the 2025 Asia Triathlon Cup Chennai, clocked in 1 hour 50 minutes and 25 seconds with Konysbayev snatching the runner-up honors, 27 seconds behind. Maeda settled for third in 1:51:16.
The Elite Women contest ran true to form as odds-on favorite Hayashi turn the 31st staging of what is more popularly known as SUBIT her own show from start to finish she covered in 2:04:58.
Two Koreans joined Hayashi—Gaycon Park and Hyo Rim Jeong—at the podium of the one of the premier Asian triathlons with the former placing second (2:05:21) and the latter third (2:06:25).
Dayshaun Ramos was the top Filipino finisher at 14th position with a time of 1:54:53 and Raven Alcoseba as the # 1 Filipina, just off the top 10, checking in 2:14:16, in the event where the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority was the venue partner; with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Century Tuna, Sante Barley, Milo and Gatorade as major sponsors and Western Guaranty Assurance Corp., Subic Bay Travelers-Hotel and Fitbar as supporters.
Diego Dimayuga pounced on the tentativeness of his teammate at Coach D Academy in T2 (10 seconds longer) as he retained his title in the Boys 13-15 while Japanese Miharu Oka prevailed in Girls 13-15.
The last time the Japanese dominated the SUBIT was 2002.
Japan won several gold medals across different contests during the NTT Asia Triathlon ParaTriathlon Asian Championships 2024 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone this past weekend.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the official release of Triathlon Philippines. Some parts in boldface…
Japan bagged six gold medals in the 2024 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships at the Waterfront and Boardwalk inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on June 2.
Tsutomo Nagata ruled the men’s PTS5 category in 1:08:31, while compatriots Takumi Nagata (1:13:25) and Tetsuki Kaji (1:14:59) settled for second and third places, respectively.
Satoru Yoneoka claimed victory in the men’s PTVI, clocking 1:03:53 to beat compatriots Yosuke Yamada (1:04:49) and Junpei Hoshi (1:05:29).
In the women’s PTS2 category, Yukako Hata (1:24:46) defeated fellow Japanese Asumi Yasuda (1:33:58) for the gold medal.
The other gold medalists were Kimura Jumpei (men’s PTWC), Mami Tani (women’s PTS4) and Riyo Kogama (women’s PTS5).
Meanwhile, four-time Paralympian Jiachao Wang of China ruled the men’s PTS4 category in 1:06:39.
Japanese Keiya Kaneko (1:12:30) placed second followed by Filipino Alex Silverio (1:15:55) in the 750m swim (one lap), 20km bike (2 laps) and 5km run (2 laps) competition organized by Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and sanctioned by the Asia Triathlon and World Triathlon.
The 32-year-old Wang from Kunming, Yunnan province finished the race trouble-free. His left arm was amputated after an accident when he was five.
“I’m happy to win. This is my first time to compete here, the weather is hot and humid,” said Wang, who won medals in the pool in three Paralympic Games before shifting to triathlon nine years ago.
After making his debut in Athens (2004), he scooped one silver (200m individual medley) and one bronze (400m freestyle) medals in Beijing (2008).
Wang captured the gold medal in the men’s 4x100m medley relay and got two silvers (4x100m individual medley and 4x100m freestyle relay) at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Wang, who placed fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, has completed the World Triathlon Level 2 coach certification course in South Korea last May 23.
Despite his bronze medal performance, Silverio was satisfied.
“I did not expect a podium finish because there are many good athletes in my category,” said the 34-year-old native of Compostela town in Cebu. He continued to train right after winning the gold medal at the Subic Bay International Triathlon last month.
“I am so happy that I was able to get a medal now,” said Silverio, who also joined the 2018 edition of the Asia Triathlon Para Championships in Legazpi City, Albay.
Silverio, a gold medalist at the National Age Group Triathlon last February, is a member of the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG) Go For Gold Philippines team.
In the men’s PTS2 category, Filipino Edison Badilla (1:35:36) defeated compatriot Jake Lacaba (1:41:18).
South Korea’s Kim Hwang Tae (1:27:13) beat Filipino Raul Angoluan (1:31:31) in the men’s PTS3), while Kyrgysztan’s Aitunuk Zhoomart Kyzy (1:21:38) prevailed over compatriot Gulnaz Zhuzbaeva (1:23:25) in the women’s PTVI category of the event sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay in Action, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade (official hydration), Standard Insurance and Western Guaranty Inc., and partners Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, CM Timing of Jay Cheng and Stat Med ambulance service.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA sports news story. Some parts in boldface…
China’s Jiachao Wang displayed his awesome form to claim victory in the men’s PTS4 category of the 2024 NTT Asia Triathlon Para Championships in Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday.
Wang clocked one hour, 06 minutes, and 39 seconds to beat Japanese Keiya Kaneko (1:12:30) and Filipino Alex Silverio (1:15:55) in the 750m swim, 20.26km bike and 5km run event.
“I’m happy to win,” said the 32-year-old Wang, who was born and raised in Kunming, Yunnan province. He lost his left arm in an accident when he was five years old.
“This is my first time to compete here, the weather is hot and humid,” added Wang, who won medals as a swimmer in three Paralympic Games before shifting to triathlon nine years ago.
After making his debut in Athens (2004), he bagged one silver (200m individual medley) and one bronze (400m freestyle) at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Wang pocketed one gold (men’s 4x100m medley relay) and two silvers (4x100m individual medley and 4x100m freestyle relay) in London (2012).
Wang, who placed fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, has completed the World Triathlon Level 2 coach certification course in South Korea last May 23.
Silverio, who hails from Compostela town in Cebu, was satisfied with his performance.
“I did not expect a podium finish because there are many good athletes in my category. I am so happy that I was able to get a medal,” said the 34-year-old member of the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG) Go For Gold Philippines team.
Meanwhile, Filipino Edison Badilla (1:35:36) beat compatriot Jake Lacaba (1:41:18) in the men’s PTS2 category where they were the only entries.
Japan had the most number of gold medals at six, coming from Kimura Jumpei (men’s PTWC), Tsutomo Nagata (men’s PTS5), Satoru Yoneoka (men’s PTVI), Yukako Hata (women’s PTS2), Mami Tani (women’s PTS4), and Riyo Kogama (women’s PTS5).
The NTT Asia Triathlon ParaTriathlon Asian Championships 2024 was organized by organized by Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with the support of Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay in Action, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade – the official hydration partner, Standard Insurance and Western Guaranty Inc, plus Subic Bay Travelers Hotel (hotel partner), CM Timing of Jay Cheng (timing partner) and Statmed (EMS partner).
If you are looking for nice place for vacation and you also want to watch a triathlon event live, then you should come to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone where the 2022 edition of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) will be held at on May 1, 2022 (for external references, click here, here, here and here).
For a quick look at who the Philippine Team triathletes are racing and what impact SUBIT had on Philippine triathlon in general, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin sports news report. Some parts in boldface…
The race is actually a tuneup for the PH team going to the biennial meet where it aims to maintain its 1-2 finish in the men’s and women’s division.
Racing in SUBIT are Fer Casares, Kim Remolino, John Chicano, Kim Mangrobang, Raven Alcoseba and Lauren Plaza.
“The SUBIT will be a good tuneup race for our SEAG-bound athletes, especially sa game strategy,” said Triathlon Association President Tom Carrasco.
“SUBIT has been at the forefront of development of Filipino triathletes. I’m proud to say that SUBIT has produced Southeast Asian Games champions and notable Asian Games performers.”
Among the SUBIT products were SEAG winners Chicano, Mangrobang, Nikko Huelgas and (Claire) Adorna, Youth Olympics qualifier Vicky Deldio, Columbia World Games qualifiers Carlo Pedregosa and Mirasol Abad, Birmingham World Games qualifier Casares, and 2018 Asian Games top 10 finisher Kim Kilgroe.
This year’s SUBIT – formally called the NTT AST Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) 2022 – will have race distances of 1.5 kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run (Standard Distance), 750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run (Sprint Distance) and 500 M – 13 Km bike – 2.5 Km run (Super Sprint Distance) which will cover lots of places in the freeport. With regards to schedules, posted below are the details sourced from the event page at RaceYaya.com
Pay close attention to this.
This year’s SUBIT is a joint project of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and I Love Fun-tastic Subic Bay supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Standard Insurance, FINIS Philippines, Gatorade, Subic Bay Travelers Hotel, POCARI Sweat, and Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines Inc.
Where to enjoy food and drinks in Subic Bay?
Visit Gourmet Garage and Xtremely Xpresso on your next visit to Subic Bay.
Apart from being a sports tourism hot spot, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone also has nice places where you and your family or group of friends can spend time at and enjoy good food and drinks together such as Gourmet Garage Subic (social media here and here) and Xtremely Xpresso Café (social media here and here) to name a few. Personally, I enjoyed the two mentioned places a lot during my past visits. I would suggest you who read this to visit them on your next visit to Subic Bay.
Located at 1143 Argonaut Highway (very near the Starbucks Coffee shop there), Gourmet Garage Subic is one very fine place to dine in with others and their cooks specialize preparing really tasty meals such as the Truffle BBQ Orange Baby Back Ribs, the Grilled Salmon Tamari Quinoa, Grilled Javier’s Burger, Sake-marinated Fish Fillet, the Lamb Madras Curry, Gourmet Garage’s Beef Tapa and their signature pasta the Luglug Spaghettini to name a few. Looking for drinks, snacks, cakes, condiments and bread? They have them too! Their venue also has a fine-looking design. If you have any catering needs, they are willing to serve you.
Over at 1 Dewey Avenue corner Sta. Rita Road in the freeport, Xtremely Xpresso is a café that offers customers really good coffee plus meals that families and friends can enjoy together. For the coffee lovers, they got the Jump-start Espresso, Vienna Coffee, White Mocha and Vietnamese Coffee plus their very own lineup of frappe’s such as the Shockwave, the Coffee Cradle and Ekimocha to name a few. For those looking for hearty meals, they have Baby Back Ribs, Korean Beef Ribs, Salisbury Steak, the Chicken Teriyaki Sandwich, pasta and their Big Ben pizza!
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are you excited to visit Subic Bay for the May 1 triathlon event and the local places to enjoy good food? When was the last time you visited Subic Bay?
Author Carlo Carrasco 