World best triathletes due for Asian meet

Topnotch action is in the offing in the Speedo Asian Triathlon Championship (ATC) set at Subic Bay Freeport April 4 as world-class triathletes from Kazakhstan, Japan, China and Hong Kong outwit each other for berths (one for men and another for women) to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in August.

Spearheading the men in this 14-nation conclave is former world champion and Sydney Olympics veteran Kazakh Dmitri Gaag to be backstopped by 2002-03 ATC titlist Daniil Sapunov.

Gaag is currently ranked No. 9 in the world while his countryman Sapunov 43rd.

Defending champion Japanese Shizuka Kusuna, among the world’s top 40 and 18th-ranked Machiko Nakanishi lead the distaff side in the event sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Reliv and Gatorade and organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

On April 3, triathletes aged 20 years and over take center stage for the Asian Age-Group Triathlon Championship.

The age categories on tap are 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54 and 55 and over for males and 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, and 40 and over.

List-up for the age group competition is ongoing at TRAP office, Room 201, Building Alpha, Philsports, Pasig City (tel. Nos. 0916-2654209/Fabie, 0920 6030898/Dong); POC-NSA Center, PSC Administration Building, P. Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila (tel. No. 523-6280); and all Speedo Concept stores in Metro Manila and Cebu and ends April 2.

For online registration, contact contactus@triathlon.org.ph.