Andrew Kim Remolino (left) and Raven Faith Alcoseba of team TLTG Go For Gold. | Photo from Fritz Tan Alcoseba
CEBU CITY, Philippines — As what was expected, the vaunted Talisay Luigi Triatlon Group or TLTG Go For Gold swimmers dominated the inaugural PJ Garcia Swimming Challenge in Pinamungajan, southwest Cebu last Saturday, June 5, 2021.
The triathlon team fielded in 43 swimmers and managed to haul nine first place finishes in different categories of the inaugural open water swim which drew around 200 swimmers.
Leading Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group Go For Gold’s impressive showing is no less than 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) men’s triathlon silver medalist Andrew Kim Remolino and Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Raven Faith Alcoseba who topped the three-kilometer open category.
Remolino, who competed in the 2021 Asia Triathlon Championships in Japan last April finished the 3k open category with the time of 38 minutes and 42 seconds while Earl Jason Bilangdal finished second with 41:25 official time, and Rex Dela Cruz Jr. rounded off the top three with the time of 42:20.
In the 3k open distaff side, Alcoseba, a varsity swimmer of the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School flexed her winning form by logging in 45:05 to best Alexa Larrazabal who trailed her at second place with the time of 45:40. Fellow Talisaynon Karen Andrea Manayon completed the top three in the 3k women’s category at 46:20.
Their teammate, Jacob Kennedy Lipura topped the male 2k category at 28:22 while his teammates John Michael Lalimos and Akio Habana grabbed the No. 2 and 3 spots respectively. Lalimos finished the swim at 28:22 while Habana followed at third with 30:17.
Dhexia Myle Bersabal of Mandaue City topped the 2k female category at 32:45 while team TLTG’s Marielle Estreba settled for second at 33:27, and Mara Comaling landed at third place with the time of 34:16.
The rest of team TLTG Go For Gold’s top placers in the 3k distance were Matthew Justine Hermosa (15 years old below), and Renz Wynn Corbin (16-25 years old) and Fionna Alcoseba(16-25 years old).
Jeanna Mariel Cañete (15-years old below), Nicole Marie Del Rosario (16-25 years old), and Ruenreinhardt Pañibon (26-35 years old) joined TLTG Go For Gold’s winning spree after they topped their respective age group categories in the 2k distance.
The rest of the top placers in the 3k category were John Sebastian Solon (26-35 years old), Israel Nuñal (49:45), Zurielle Kenzie Galo (15-years old below), Cianyl Gonzales (26-35 years old), and Mylene Jarina (36-above).
On the other hand, Carron Cañas (15-years old below), Renzo Mar Pahagas (16-25 years old), Roy Pogoy (26-35 years old), Michael Flores (36-above), and May Rosales (36-above female) were the first placers in the 2k category.
In the 500-meter swim distance, Eli Hamon and Alisa Aberion emerged as the top swimmers while Arnold Balais dominated the paraswimming category.
The open water swimming competition organized by the Hijos Dela Esperanza Foundation, the Municipality of Pinamungajan, and the Cebu Provincial government.
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