SEA Games medalists Casares and Alcoseba dominate 2022 National Duathlon Championships at New Clark City

This past weekend, the 2022 National Duathlon Championships (NDC) took place at New Clark City and ultimately Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) medalists Fer Casares and Raven Faith Alcoseba won the sprint distance (5 kilometer run – 20 KM bike – 2.5 Km run) elite titles respectively, according to a post-event news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For the newcomers reading this, the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), HOKA, Filinvest New Clark City, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Fissan and Fitbar with Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City and the local government of Capas, Tarlac as the venue partners, attracted hundreds of registered participants locally as well as some from overseas. It is also part of the selection process of choosing athletes who will compete in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia (for references, click here and here). Casares and Alcoseba, who are members of the national team, are among the top triathletes of Southeast Asia. Casares is the SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triathlon and Alcoseba the SEA Games bronze medalist in women’s triathlon.

To put things into perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

Filipino-Spanish Fernando Jose Casares lived up to expectations after ruling the sprint distance men’s elite category of the 2022 National Duathlon Championships at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac on Sunday.

Born in Madrid to a Spanish father and a Filipino mother, the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games gold medalist Casares finished the 5,000(run)-20,000-(bike)-2.500(run) race in 58 minutes and 3 seconds to beat fellow national athlete John Chicano Leerams of Olongapo City (58.09) and promising duathlete Maynard Pecson of Baguio City (58.13).

I’m glad I had a good performance here,” said the 26-year-old Casares, whose mother is from Valenzuela City. He got his dual citizenship in 2018.

Casares had competed at the World Games in Alabama, USA last July. He also won the mixed relay gold medal with Chicano, Kim Mangrobang, Clair Adorna at the 2019 Manila SEA Games.

In the women’s category, Cebuana Raven Faith Alcoseba clocked 1 hour, 6 minutes and 32 seconds to claim the gold medal.

The course was challenging, I’m happy to win,” said the 20-year-old civil engineering student from De La Salle University. She debuted in the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games with a bronze medal in triathlon.

The 5-foot-2 Alcoseba, who hails from Talisay in Cebu, defeated Singaporean Louisa Middleditch (1:07.10) and Merry Joy Trupa of Tarlac City (1:08.50).

Matthew Justine Hermosa, also a native of Talisay, registered 1:01.46 to pocket the gold medal in the junior elite men’s category of the tournament organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) headed by Tom Carrasco Jr.

Irienold Reig Jr. of Batasan Hills in Quezon City took the silver medal with a time of 1:02.40 while Aidan Reed Mercado, a grade 12 student from Muntinlupa National High School, settled for the bronze medal with a time of 1:03.24.

The top three winners in the junior women’s elite category were Jena Valdez (1:11.35), Lady Samantha Jhunace (1:11.39) and Sophia Kyra Capistrano (1:14.49).

Meanwhile, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Senior Vice President for Corporate Services Group Arrey Perez appreciated the feedback from the participants of the race supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

They are happy that the event was held here. The set up was very nice. The venue was really world-class,” said Perez, who served as mayor of the 2019 SEA Games Athletes Village inside the New Clark City Sports Complex.

In addition to the above post-race report, Abante also has its own report published in Tagalog.

For race results and other post-race updates about the NDC, visit the TRAP Facebook page as well as the event’s page at RaceYa.fit. The event was streamed live on race day and you can watch the FB stream by clicking https://fb.watch/hd94zg257H/?mibextid=RUbZ1f

For future multisport events from the TRAP, watch out for the 2023 season opener of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) series set for January 29, 2023 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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TRAP brings foreign-flavored National Duathlon Championships to New Clark City

The forthcoming 2022 National Duathlon Championships (NDC) will feature the finest Filipino competitors in the run-bike-run event along with a strong foreign participation as the races form part of the selection of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (32nd SEA Games) in Cambodia.

Over 450 duathletes across the country are expected to troop to the New Clark City in Tarlac in time for the December 4 race where they will see action in the Standard Distance races as well as in the Sprint and Super Sprint events along with the best from Singapore and Malaysia.

“The main actions are in the sprint events since the events in the Cambodia SEA Games are all sprints with Singapore and Malaysia sending their best to measure up with our elites,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco.

The races will be supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), HOKA, Filinvest New Clark City, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Fissan and Fitbar as major sponsors while the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), New Clark City and the local government of Capas, Tarlac are the venue partners.

According to Carrasco, the signature event of the TRAP is the 13-15 age group category (Super Sprint) starring the country’s Youth Olympic Games aspirants and the next generation of duathletes/triathletes in the national team.

“The top Filipino finishers will be in the short list for the SEA Games in Cambodia, but we will also consider the other duathlon events results in 2022,” said Carrasco.

More entries are expected to sign up prior to the races where Pocari Sweat serves as hydration partner and PTV Sports and Radyo Pilipinas 2 as media partners.

A total of 103 team will participate, most of them from 26 cities and provinces in the country and foreign contingents from Australia, Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

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Note: This is an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

2023 season opener of National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) series set for January 29, 2023 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone; online registration ongoing

For the triathletes and multisport enthusiasts based in the Philippines reading this, the 2023 season opener of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) series is all set to happen on January 29, 2023 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the good news is that you can register online right now by clicking here.

This sports event is a joint project of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) supported by Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc. (ACIP) and Standard Insurance.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of key race details posted at the event page at RaceYaya.fit

2023 National Age Group Triathlon Subic Leg (part of SEATA Series)

Race Date & Time: 29 January 2023 (Sunday) at 6:00am
Event
 Venue: Start & Finish at The Boardwalk, Subic Bay Freeport


Highlights:
• This is part of the Southeast Asian Triathlon Association (SEATA) Series and the 2023 National Triathlon Trials.
• A qualifying/selection race for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, Cambodia.
• A talent identification for the Philippine Triathlon Team.

Race Distances:

1. Standard Distance: 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run (Individual and Team Relay)
2. Sprint Distance: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
3. Super Sprint Distance: 500m swim, 13km bike, 2.5km run

Participants’ Categories (Top 3):

Super Sprint Distance:

  • 13-15 Boys & Girls Only

Sprint Distance:

  • Elite Men
  • Elite Women
  • Jr. Elite Men 16-19 y.o.
  • Jr. Elite Women 16-19 y.o.
  • Age Group Men and Women: 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 – over

Standard Distance:

  • Elite Men
  • Elite Women
  • Age Group Men:
    • 18-24
    • 25-29
    • 30-34
    • 35-39
    • 40- 44
    • 45-49
    • 50-54
    • 55 & over
  • Age Group Women:
    • 18-24
    • 25-29
    • 30-34
    • 35-39
    • 40-44
    • 45-49
    • 50 & over

Team Relay (Standard Distance):

  • All Male
  • All Female
  • Mixed Team

Registration fees are set at P3,500/US$62.50 plus processing fee for Super Sprint Distance, P4,000/US72 plus processing fee for Sprint Distance, and P4,500/US$81 plus processing fee for Standard Distance. The entry fees cover the cost of participation, swim cap, timing chip rental, race bib, bike & helmet stickers, finisher’s medal, event shirt and post-race take-away snacks. The fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-creditable for future races of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

For the complete race schedule of activities and other key details, click https://register.raceya.fit/event/nagt2023

To follow or contact the TRAP, visit http://www.triathlon.org.ph/ and follow their official Facebook page.

To those who will really be traveling to Subic Bay for the January 29, 2023 triathlon, there are good places where you can have good meals and beverages at – Gourmet Garage Subic and Xtreme Xpresso Café. Read my feature articles of them.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

2022 National Duathlon Championships (NDC) set for December 4 at New Clark City

New Clark City, the premier site of athletics and aquatics in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, will be the hot spot for endurance racing as it hosts the 2022 National Duathlon Championships (NDC) on December 4, 2022. Registration is ongoing at RaceYaya.com

The NDC will take place around New Clark City using its well paved roads. There will be a Standard Distance course of 10 Km run – 40 Km bike – 5 Km run as well as a Sprint Distance course of 5Km run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run and a Super Sprint Distance course of 2.5 Km run – 10 Km bike – 2.5 Km run.

The event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) with the support of Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc. and POCARI Sweat will serve as part of the selection process for the composition of the national pool duathletes who will compete in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (2023 SEA Games) in Cambodia. Already the other SEA Games federation have given word that they will make their selection of their respective teams to join this event.

Online registration for the event is ongoing with early bird rates of P3,500 (for Super Sprint Distance and Sprint Distance), P4,000 (Standard Distance) and P7,000 (Standard Distance Team Relay) offered until August 15, 2022. Registration fees cover the cost of participation, timing chip rental, race bib, bike & helmet stickers, the finisher’s medal, event shirt and light post-race snack.

To see the complete details of pre-race and post-race activities and schedules as well as the lists for each wave of participants, visit the 2022 National Duathlon Championships page at RaceYaya.com . A special category of paratriathlon is included in the program.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Triathlon and duathlon events at Tagudin, Ilocos Sur set for July 23 and 24, 2022

Hundreds of multisport participants from around the nation will soon converge in the Municipality of Tagudin as the Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Triathlon & Duathlon will take place on July 23 and 24, 2022.

The Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Triathlon & Duathlon 2022 is a special project of the Municipality of Tagudin in Ilocos Sur province in cooperation with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines supported by many sponsors and stakeholders. Online registration will last until July 10, 2022.

A joint project of the organizing Municipality of Tagudin headed by Mayor Roque S. Verzosa, Jr., in cooperation with Chili Grass and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), a Standard Distance duathlon (10 Km run – 40 Km bike – 5 Km run) and a Sprint Distance duathlon (5 Km run – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) will take place on July 23 (Saturday). The next day, the Standard Distance triathlon (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) and a Sprint Distance triathlon (750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) will take place. Each event will have its own awarding ceremony on their set dates.

At stake in the event supported by SMART, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), FINIS, ATAW Marketing, Standard Insurance, NLEX Corporation, and Fitbar are cash prizes worth P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 for the Standard Elite Distance Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women in both the triathlon and duathlon. Meanwhile, cash prizes for the Standard Distance Age Group Top 5 Men and Top 5 Women in both triathlon and duathlon have been set.

Set to participate in the event are members of the National Triathlon Team led by John Chicano and 31st SEA Games medalists Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba. Also joining are other national and developmental pool members such as Ramund Torio, Josh Ramos, Aki Lorbes, Wacky Baniqued, JC Abad, Ephraim Inigo, Moira Erediano, Heart Quiambao, Alex Ganzon, Kaye Burgos and Kira Ellis.

Online registration for the Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Triathlon & Duathlon has been extended until July 10, 2022. Registration fees cover the cost of participation, swim cap, timing chip rental, race bib, bike & helmet stickers, the finisher’s medal and event shirt.

To see the complete details of pre-race and post-race activities schedules as well as the lists for each wave of participants, visit the separate triathlon and duathlon pages of the Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Triathlon & Duathlon at RaceYaya.com .

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Philippines looking forward to triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon at next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia

There is no denying that the Philippines had a big weekend winning 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and a bronze medal in the triathlon and duathlon events of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam. To be specific, Fer Casares and Andrew Kim Remolino won the men’s triathlon gold and silver medals on May 14 while Marion Kim Mangrobang and Raven Faith Alcoseba secured the gold and bronze for the country in the women’s triathlon event that same day. The next day, Mangrobang won the gold in the women’s duathlon which fully established her as Southeast Asia’s reigning queen of triathlon and duathlon until the next SEA Games in Cambodia.

Deservedly, the medalists and their coaches were warmly welcomed at the airport upon arrival from Vietnam as seen in the following images released by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through Facebook. Check out the images below…

The Philippine triathlon team welcomed at the airport upon arrival from Vietnam. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)
SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triahlon Fer Casares. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)
SEA Games double-gold medalist (women’s triathlon and women’s duathlon) Kim Mangrobang. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)
SEA Games silver medalist in men’s triathlon Andrew Kim Remolino. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)
SEA Games bronze medalist in women’s triathlon Raven Faith Alcoseba. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)

On the future of the SEA Games, the next edition – the 32nd Southeast Asian Games – will be hosted by Cambodia in May 2023. What is significant about next year’s games (promoted as Cambodia 2023) is the fact that it officially has triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon among its many events. In relation to this, the Philippine Star published a report about the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) looking forward to winning even more gold medals in the 2023 SEA Games with the three mentioned multisport events in mind.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine Star report. Some parts in boldface…

After coming short of its sweep bid, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines is looking forward to the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where it has chance to rake in more gold medals.

Next year in Cambodia, there will be three events each for triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco. “We’re back to the drawing board because we also have to prepare for the World Games Duathlon in July.”

The official logo of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

The country came into the Hanoi event eyeing 1-2 finishes in all four events but wound up with just three gold medals, including two from Kim Mangrobang, a silver from Kim Remolino and a bronze from Raven Alcoseba also in triathlon.

Fer (Casares) delivered the other gold in men’s triathlon.

John Leerams Chicano, a two-time triathlon SEA Games gold winner, failed in his SEA Games duathlon debut as he wound up just fourth.

The Filipinos hope to bounce back big in Phnom Penh.

The above report ended with the TRAP president stating that in Cambodia, they were allowed eight to nine events to include duathlon, aquathlon plus mixed relay teams. For the newcomers reading this, aquathlon is a multisport race or activity that consists of running and swimming.

In ending this post, let us all thank our Lord for what the Philippine triathletes achieved in the SEA Games in Vietnam. Thank the Lord that He will bless the medalists and the coaches for their achievements as the government will release cash incentives to them in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699. For future multisport events that the triathlon team will engage in, pray to our Lord for His guidance on them so that they can achieve victories and bring in more glory and honors for the Philippines. Pray to the Lord with the holy scriptures posted below.

I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (AMPC)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

O Lord our God, let your sweet beauty rest upon us. Come work with us, and then our works will endure; you will give us success in all we do.

Psalms 90:17 (TPT)

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Mangrobang wins another gold medal for the Philippines at the 31st SEA Games!

The Philippines got a much-needed boost in the medal tally of the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam as the region’s reigning triathlon queen Marion Kim Mangrobang pulled off another gold medal victory in the women’s duathlon event today. To put things in perspective, this is the second straight gold medal Mangrobang won for the nation and the duathlon event for women happened just a day after the women’s triathlon took place. That being said, what she achieved for the nation – double gold medals in back-to-back multisport events – is nothing short of amazing!

The official race results of the SEA Games women’s duathlon showed that Mangrobang finished the grueling 10 kilometer run – 40Km bike – 5Km run event in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 12 seconds, securing the gold medal for the Philippines. The silver medal went to Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid of Malaysia who finished 2:14:22 while Indonesia’s Zahra Putri Bulan Aprillia grabbed the bronze clocking 2:14:49. Mangrobang’s teammate Alexandra Ganzon finished 8th with a time of 2:23:09.

Kim Mangrobang’s SEA Games women’s duathlon gold medal victory acknowledged. (photo source – Philippine Olympic Committee Facebook page)

Looking at the individual times, Mangrobang had the 2nd fastest time in the 10Km run leg and went on to complete the 40Km bike leg in 1:09:51. Mangrobang excelled in the 5Km run leg clocking 19:51 which was enough to secure the first-place victory. None of her competitors finished the 5Km run in less than 20 minutes.

Kim Mangrobang’s double-gold accomplishments this weekend helped the Philippines a lot in the ongoing SEA Games. As such, she has established herself as the reigning queen of triathlon and duathlon in the entire Southeast Asian region. On social media, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) acknowledged the newly won women’s duathlon gold medal as the 14th gold the country won as of this writing. What Mangrobang achieved here will be remembered for a very long time and it is worth recording in the history of Philippine sports, Philippine triathlon and the SEA Games itself.

As I mentioned in my previous article, the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games will be held in Cambodia next year already. The 32nd SEA Games (marketed as Cambodia 2023) already has triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon among its official events. That being said, Kim Mangrobang’s reign as Southeast Asia’s best female triathlete and duathlete will last until the next SEA Games happen. If you want to learn more about Mangrobang, read my feature article of her by clicking here.

Going back to the ongoing SEA Games’ duathlon, the Philippines almost won a medal in the men’s duathlon event according to the race results published. John Chicano finished 4th timing 1:57:50. He was just 14 seconds behind the bronze medalist Jauhari Johan of Indonesia. The gold and silver medals were won by the respective duathletes of Vietnam (1:55:58) and Indonesia (1:56:12). Chicano’s teammate Raymond Torio Molano finished 6th with a time of 1:59:49. Those who want to learn more about Chicano – who won the 2019 SEA Games men’s triathlon gold medal and was the top Philippine finisher in the recent Subic Bay International Triathlon – read my feature of him by clicking here.

To view the SEA Games women’s duathlon official race results, click https://triathlon.org/results/result/2022_hanoi_south_east_asian_games._duathlon/559070

To view the SEA Games men’s duathlon official race results, click https://triathlon.org/results/result/2022_hanoi_south_east_asian_games._duathlon/559069

Now that the triathlon and duathlon events of the 31st SEA Games are officially over, the Philippines won a total of 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze. Fer Casares and Kim Mangrobang’s gold-medal accomplishments (plus the respective medal victories of Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba) in Vietnam made that clear the Philippines is the best in Southeast Asia in the sport of triathlon until the next SEA Games happen in Cambodia. On duathlon, the Philippines is the best in Southeast Asia among the women while Vietnam is the best in the region among the men.

Considering what the Philippines achieved in the multisport events in Vietnam, we should all be thankful to the Lord for the victories. I encourage you all to congratulate our nation’s best multisport athletes as well as their coaches, the local triathlon officials, the supporters and other stakeholders who helped made the SEA Games events and participation push through.

In closing this post, posted below are two translations of Philippian 4:13 from the Holy Bible which should enlighten you about victory, achievements and accomplishments. Once again, praise and thank the Lord for the triathlon, duathlon and other sports victories the Philippines achieved in the 31st SEA Games.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 (AMPC)

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

With a huge delegation, the Philippines begins its quest for gold at the 31st SEA Games

While most of the country has been focused on the May 9 General Elections (national and local levels) as people will elect a new President who will lead the country for the next six years, the Philippines has a huge delegation gradually arriving in Vietnam for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021), according to an article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). While the opening ceremony of the SEA Games has been set to happen on May 12, there are already sports events that were held days ahead of the said ceremony. The Philippine Team, which has a financial support of over P200 million, will start very soon its quest for gold while adjusting themselves to the new environment, culture and society there in Vietnam.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine contingent for the 31st Southeast Asian Games is scheduled to check in on Tuesday with the Philippine Sports Commission on hand to facilitate their arrival and have them comfortably settled two days before the opening ceremony of the 11-nation sportsfest.

A large wave of athletes led by 2019 SEA Games multiple medalist and world champion gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo will set foot here together with the highly admired women’s volleyball team featuring its top celebrities Alyssa Valdez, Aby Maraño and Jaja Santiago.

Yulo, who brought along his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, won two gold medals and five silvers in men’s artistic gymnastics back in Manila 2019 and is expected to deliver again for Team Philippines.

We are ready to receive our athletes and coaches and extend the assistance they need once they arrive here. They have to be free of distractions so they can focus on their respective competitions ahead,” said PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, the chef de mission of Team Philippines.

Women’s volleyball and men’s volleyball have a total headcount of 38 players and officials while gymnastics has 22 athletes and coaches comprising the 193 members of the delegation set to arrive on Tuesday.

Filipino athletes and officials from badminton (19), bodybuilding (13), fencing (28), table tennis (17), tennis (12), athletics (8), wushu (17), and one swimmer will likewise depart from Manila on the same day along with the PSC medical team (6) and members of the media (12).

Already settled in the Vietnamese capital and have moved to their respective billeting areas are athletes from kickboxing, handball, men’s and women’s football, rowing, chess, kurash, pencak silat, men’s 3×3 basketball, women’s basketball, golf, and triathlon/duathlon.

The main bulk of track and field athletes and officials (50) will be here on Wednesday, including pole vault Asian record holder Ernest John Obiena.

Speaking of the Philippines’ quest for gold in the SEA Games, triathlon and duathlon events are scheduled for May 14 and 15 respectively according to details at Triathlon.org (references here and here) and it has been confirmed already that Quang Ninh is the Vietnamese province which will host triathlon and other events. To know more about the Philippine Team triathletes and duathletes who are set to compete in the SEA Games, click here and here. Take note that the Philippines’ best triathletes and duathletes recently competed in the Subic Bay International Triathlon or SUBIT.

The Philippine Team for triathlon and duathlon at the airport before they departed to Vietnam. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission Facebook page)

To know more about what kind of competitors Team Philippines will face in the SEA Games triathlon and duathlon events, check out my recent post related to the highly detailed interview with the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA). To find out who exactly are the Southeast Asian triathletes and duathletes in the men’s triathlon, women’s triathlon, men’s duathlon and women’s duathlon, check out the SEA Games pages at Triathlon.org which now have official lists of starters for public viewing.

Considering what is at stake and what kind of competitors the Philippine delegation will face at the SEA Games, I urge you to pray to our Lord for victories to be achieved by our nation’s finest athletes (note: each of them went through qualification processes in their respective teams and sports) and that they (along with their coaches) will be rewarded abundantly. We should not believe on luck because we have the victory of Lord Jesus to believe in and God is the definitive source and provider of blessings, breakthroughs and miracles that we must believe in. To pray to the Lord, be in your room with the door shut and pray in tongues to Him with all your heart. Also be thankful to Him wholeheartedly.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: How excited are you right now with the Philippines’ SEA Games campaign? What is the one sports event of the SEA Games you are excited for?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

For other SEA Games-related articles, click here, here, here, here and here.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Amiladjid and Stawicki register best times among standard distance age-groupers in SUBIT

Al Shrynel Amiladjid and Rhia Mae Alexandria Stawicki emerged with the best standard distance finishes in their respective age-groups and genders during the recent 2022 NTT AST Subic Bay International Triathlon at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Amiladjid finished the 1.5 kilometer swim – 40 KM bike – 10 Km run in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 9 seconds which earned him the gold in the Male 25-29 age-group. Next to him among the males were Male 40-44 champion Jet Ramos with 2:12:55 and male 18-24 champion Charles Jeremiah Lipura with 2:14:30

Among the women in the event organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, Rhia Mae Alexandria Stawicki easily outclassed her competitors with a fast 2:17:17 to win the Female 18-29 age-group. Next to her were fellow 18-29 competitor Jaquelyn Ann Cruz with 2:42:32 and female 40-44 champion Maypette Ng with 2:43:33.

Other standard distance age-group champions declared in the race recognized by the World Triathlon and Asia Triathlon sponsored by Standard Insurance, Asian Center for Insulation Phil (ACIP), Pocari Sweat, Aurora Suites & Pavilion and FINIS were Maryfel Aumentado (female 35-39), Celma Hitalia (female 45-over), Mike Kramer (male 30-34), Luigi Victor Robles (male 35-39), Rene Tayag (male 45-49), Dante Macalintal (male 50-54) and John Villanueva (male 55-above).

On the sprint distance (750 meter swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) age-group competition, the champions declared were Daniel Nazarro and Katrina Salazar (16-19), Cathery Ayessa Manalastas (women 20-24), Leonides Sollegue (male 20-29), Nicolle Arielle Andaya (women 25-29), Mitch Otsuru-Park (women 30-39), Charles Cruz (male 30-34), Micah Munoz (male 35-39), Toni Camille Favis (women 40-over), Jeffrey Real (male 40-49), Benjamin Villagracia (male 50-above) and Alex Silverio (sprint male para-triathlon)

For the complete race results and lists of winners, visit https://register.raceyaya.com/event/subit2022

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The above information was sourced from an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Some parts were modified for this website.

For related triathlon stories about the Subic Bay International Triathlon and the SEA Games this year, click here, here, here and here.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Japanese rule SUBIT

Ren Sato and Yuka Sato shone as champions with ease, catapulting Japan to regain her thrones in the 2022 NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon–29th edition of the country’s longest-running triathlon event with international cast–at Subic Bay Freeport Zone Sunday.

Asia’s No. 3 and 56th in the world rankings Ren Sato and inaugural Youth Olympic Games triathlon gold medalist and Rio Olympics 2016 15th placer Yuka Sato (10th– Continental Ranking; 90th– World Ranking) clocked one hour 43 minutes and 11 seconds and 1:58:49 in living up to their billings as top seeds in the elite men and elite women divisions, respectively.

Japan’s Ren Sato the Elite Men’s champion. (photo credit: Henry Vargas)
The Elite Women’s champion Yuka Sato of Japan at the finish line. (photo credit: Henry Vargas)

The other medalists in both divisions of the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40km bike and 10km grind organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee pulled the rug from under the favorites.  

Ryoya Tamazaki, ranked 14th in Asia and 201th in the world, made it 1-2 Japanese finish in the elite men, checking in 26 seconds adrift of Sato at 1:43:37; it was Tamazaki’s first podium finish in 13 starts. Another 11 seconds behind at 1:43:48 was Australia’s Oscar Dart (27th-CR; 189th– WR).   

On the women’s side of the race sanctioned by World Triathlon and Asian Triathlon Confederation with Standard Insurance, Asian Center for Insulation Phil (ACIP), Pocari Sweat, Aurora Suites & Pavilion and FINIS as sponsors, Hong Kong’s Yan Yin Hilda Choi grabbed the silver in 2:00:37 and Slovakia’s Margarita Bicanova (2:01:02) the bronze.

The last time the Japan dominated SUBIT was in 2013 when it was staged in conjunction with the Asian Triathlon Championships (second time TRAP hosted it). Yuka Sato then finished runner-up to Mariko Adachi who had retired and Yoichi Hosada, who topped the 2021 JPN Triathlon National Championships was the men’s gold medalist.

            Top 10 finishers included: men– 4th Tsz To Wong HKG (1:44:00); 5th Genta Uchida JPN (1:44:16); 6th Jason Tai Long Ng HKG (1:44:33); 7th Makoto Odakura JPN (1:44:56); 8th Kanta Ando JPN (1:45:21); 9th Koki Yamamoto JPN (1:45:46) and 10th James Tan HKG (1:45:52); women– 4th Brown Bailee HKG (2:02:14);  5th Yoshiko Eda JPN (2:02:35); 6th Charlotte Hall HKG (2:02:47); 7th Chia-chia Chang TPE (2:03:03); 8th Chi Wen Chang TPE (2:03:35); 9th Kotomi Anzai JPN (2:04:21) and 10th Cade Wright HKG (2:05:12).

The Top 5 Elite Men with SBMA chairman Rolen Paulino, Sr. during the awarding ceremony. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)
The Top 5 Elite Women during the awarding ceremony. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)

            Emerging as top performers among the locals were 32nd seed John Chicano (1:51:02) and 26th Andrew Remolino (1:52:11) who placed 22nd and 23rd, respectively, and 18th seed Raven Alcoseba who landed in 13th position as the country’s top woman triathlete Kim Mangrobang who recently returned from her training base in Portugal retired in the run phase.

            Chicano’s and Remolino’s times were faster than the clocking of 1:53:26 of the former when he clinched the first gold medal for the PHI in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

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The above information was sourced from an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Some parts were modified for this website.

For related triathlon stories about the Subic Bay International Triathlon and the SEA Games this year, click here, here, here and here.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/