12-year-old triathletes take spotlight

MANILA, Philippines - Triathlon celebrated Independence Day yesterday by unveiling the future batch of triathletes in Day 1 of the 2010 Animo Sprint Triathlon at Narra Park inside Ayala Alabang Village Association in Muntinlupa.

Sixty percent from the total field of 230 triathletes who took part in the triathlon and aquathlon races, competed in the 12-years-and-below as the first of two-day racing centered on the development of the sport in the country.

The big field of young athletes in the race jointly organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, Ayala Alabang Village Association, Sunkist Tri Hard and De La Salle Zobel also spiced up the campaign to raise fund for the benefit of St. Jaime HIlario-La Salle School for the Poor Scholarship Fund.

“Seeing young kids as young as six years old and competing in a heated race is a welcome development since it just shows that the sport is growing. It also adds inspiration to our cause as we now are able to send 120 poor but deserving kids to schooling this year,”said Greg Banzon, RFM food and beverage general manager.

Ganden Medved Po provided the excitement as he needed one big step to edge by just a tick of a second rival Carlos Miguel Ejercito for the 6-under boys competition disputed in the 50m swim, 700m bike and 200m run.

Po timed in at 9:41 while Ejercito took the silver in 9:42. Bronze medal went to Ylija Josh Angeles with 10:59.

Presented by Sunkist and David’s Salon and supported by Vitwater, Aloe Green Tea, Swift, Selecta, Belo Essentials, Havaianas, One Sport, The Bull Runner and Rudy Project, competition winds up today with the sprint distance triathletes the center of attraction.

The age group winners: Po and Rebeccah Guieb in 6-under; Joaquin Morados and Yeleanna Angeles i(7-8), Emmanuel Samudio and Sophia Gabrielle Vizcarra (9-10) and Miguel Dizon and Aisay Farisha Farid (11-12), Bacolod’s John Ronnel Uy and Malaysia Aina Farhana Farid ruled the mini sprint (13-15), Kevin Lyndonn Eijansantos and Vanessa Aguirre (adult).