Andrew Kim Remolino emerges from the water during the swim portion of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) Cebu Leg yesterday in Santiago Bay, Camotes Island.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON.
Cebu’s rising junior triathletes Andrew Kim Remolino, Karen Andrea Manayon and Moira Frances Erediano pulled off dominating wins in the highly successful hosting of Camotes Island of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) Cebu Leg yesterday.
The 17-year-old Remolino easily clinched the overall title of the NAGT men’s sprint distance, the 14-year-old Manayon dominated the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Qualifying Race, while the 13-year-old Erediano topped the female mini sprint distance category.
Remolino, a member of the Philippine Junior Triathlon Team, said the race served as a perfect tune-up competition for him as he gears up for June’s Asian Sprint Triathlon Cup (ASTC) in Subic Bay Olongapo.
“I was not really contented with my performance because I slowed down a bit in the middle of the race and knowing that ASTC will field in the best junior triathletes of Asia, I have to step up my training,” said Remolino of Talisay City, who clocked in 55 minutes and 13 seconds.
Trailing Remolino was Jonathan Pagaura, who timed 56:13 while Jet Ramos rounded off the top three at 56:40.
Rue Reinhardt Pañibon joined Remolino in the winners’ list as she topped the distaff side of the overall sprint distance at 1:06.50, beating Korean Kate Kim, who recorded 1:13.17 and Kimi Jade Wee, who timed 1:14.29.
The NAGT sprint distance had an 800-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 5k run.
Manayon, meanwhile, topped the YOG qualifying race at 43:20 while Erediano claimed the top spot in the 13-15 years old mini sprint division at 47:13.
The mini sprint featured a 400m swim, a 10k bike and a 5k run. The Y.O.G will be held next year in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A member of the national training pool for triathlon, Manayon, who is also from Talisay, beat rival Lauren Plaza who timed (46:40). Pia Frances Suarez completed the top three finishers at 49:07.
“I was leading the entire race but I was really worried that I might encounter something bad along the way. Then I realized coach Roland Remolino told me before the competition to enjoy the race and shrug off the pressure. The reminder helped me win the race because I stay calmed and focused all the way to the finish line,” said Manayon.
Joshua Ramos topped the male YOG qualifiers at 39:49 followed by Juan Francis Baniqued at 40:39 and Cebuano Renz Corbin, who clocked in 40:41.
Erediano from Lapu-Lapu City on the other hand, edged out fellow Cebuana Nicole Marie Del Rosario to top the 13-15 years old female mini sprint division at 47:13. Del Rosario ended the race in 51:49.
In the 13-15-year-old male mini sprint category, another Cebuano shone bright as Charles Lipura bagged the crown with a time of 42:03.
New home
With its unspoiled white sand beaches and terrains, Camotes Island has been chosen to host the succeeding NAGT events.
For years, Danao City has been hosting the race but the city’s booming industrialization which caused road congestion prompted organizers to look for alternative venue.
“From now on, NAGT will be held in Camotes Island. For me, this is by far the smoothest NAGT race I have organized and we decided to make Camotes an annual host for the race. In fact, my staff and some mountain bike coaches from Manila will look for a suitable course for our Asean MTB and international mountainbike races which I plan to hold this year,” said Oscar Boying Rodriguez Jr., chairman of the Danao City Sports Commission, and chairman and vice president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).