Jopson takes one more crack at Ironman glory

CEBU, Philippines - Multi-titled triathlete Noy Jopson wants to take one last shot at glory that he decided to return to the all-Filipino elite category of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines set on August 5 at the Shangri-la Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.Jopson is the first Filipino elite champion of the prestigious event in 2009 in Camarines Sur, but he decided to race under his age-group last year.

Jopson dominated his class that paved the way for his entry in the 2011 Kona Ironman where he became the best placed Pinoy finisher.

Feeling much ready for this year’s battle, Jopson opted to return to the all-Filipino elite class with fervent hopes of bringing honor to Cebu, which he now considers his home after being married to decorated Cebuana triathlete Amale Mendezona some years back.

“I’m taking one last shot for the Filipino elite. Iniisip ko kung kaya ko pa, kaya ko pa naman,” said Jopson.

With Jopson’s reentry in the said category, there will be now a total of 13 Pinoy male triathletes competing for supremacy.

The other title contenders are defending champion Arland Macasieb, Franz Baguio, Gerrie Calinawan, Mendel Lopez, John Philip Duenas, 2010 Filipino elite champion Neil Catiil, Jemarvin Cabilan, August Benedicto, Franklin Echevarria, Christopher Eyao, Franklin Penalosa and Benjamin Rana, Jr.

Jopson aims to regain the crown he won four years ago, but said he is no longer gunning for a slot in this year’s Ironman World Championships in Las Vegas.

That is because after Cebu's first staging of the Ironman Philippines, Jopson will prepare for the Xterra World Championships in Hawaii this October.

“Even if I qualify for the World Championships in Ironman, I’m not going na because I already have Xterra and the schedules are too close to each other. I don’t want to be in the US for a long while, sobrang mami-miss ko na nyan ang pamilya ko,” said Jopson.