Chiongbian on a mission in Subic triathlon

CEBU, Philippines - Fast-rising Cebuano triathlete Justin Chiongbian hopes to again make good grades when the penultimate qualifying race for the Asian Youth Games takes place on April 27 via the 2013 K-Swiss Subic Bay Asian Triathlon Championships at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Chiongbian currently leads the Filipino hopefuls following his second place finish during the third of the five-phase qualifying races, while Zambales' Jimuel Patillan is at second followed by Cagayan de Oro's Louie Lalanto.

In the distaff side, Vicky Deldio of Zambales is on top of the standings followed by Makati's Magali Echauz and Cagayan's Kate Lagman.

The ultimate goal of Chiongbian and the rest of the national pool members is to get a slot in the Youth Olympic Games set next year in Nanjing, China and in the Asian Youth Games slated this July.

Chiongbian and the rest are expected to get a lot of tips from some of the world's best triathletes that will be seeing action in Subic.  Among them are Japanese Olympians Hirokatsu Tayama, Yuichi Hosoda, Ryosuke Yamamoto, China's Faiquan Bai and Yiming Zhang.

"It is our fondest hope that the Olympic veterans will inspire the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) aspirants to see the YOG as a bridge to the summit of all triathlons - the competition in the Olympic Games,” said Tom Carrasco, Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) President and Asian Triathlon Confederation Senior Vice President. (FREEMAN)