Trap revs up Asiad training

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s preparation for the Asian Games triathlon in Guangzhou, China is going full blast with national triathletes’ training and exposure abroad.

“Competing against the best in Asian region will be tough but we still have a good three months to prepare. With the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, David’s Salon and the private sector, we are confident we can field a competitive team to Guangzhou,” said Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) president Tom Carrasco.

The country’s top lady triathlete LC Langit is back in New Zealand for training using the program designed by Australian high performance coach Brett Sutton.

Langit is competing in the Asian Games for the second time and she is targeting to lower her 11th finish during the 2006 Doha Games.

Kim Mangrobang and Monica Torres are hoping to join Langit in the female competition with Mangrobang, who is currently busy with her studies, to rejoin the team by September.

The country’s top lady duathlete, Torres meanwhile has just competed in the 2010 Port Dickson International Triathlon recently at Avillon Admiral Cove, Malaysia and she proved she can be at par with other triathletes in the region as she finished second overall in the female elite.

Torres atoned for a slow start in the 1.5K swim with big showing in the 40K bike and 10K run for an accumulated time of two hours, 15 minutes, 58 seconds.

Macau’s Hoi Long took the gold in 2:04:39 while Singapore’s Lin Zhiyun came in third in 2:22:17.

TRAP has also started exposing youth triathletes Nikko Huelgas and Brian Borling who may carry the cudgel for the men’s team if the naturalization papers for Canadian Matt O’Halloran are not completed in time for the Asian Games this November.

Huelgas, a 19-year old triathlete, debuted in international competition in Malaysia and figured prominently as he finished fourth in his age group and sixth in the men’s overall.

Taken into the team only last January, Huelgas negotiated the race in 2:05:40 and was narrowly beaten for the bronze medal in the men’s 16-29 age group by Willie Loo of Singapore (2:04-35).

The 23-year-old Borling, was also sent to Malaysia but failed to finish the race as he was hit from behind by a motorcycle while doing the bike leg. His bike rim was severely damaged but the good thing is Borling escaped major injuries.

“The Port Dickson event is just one of the few international events we’ve lined up before the Asian Games. We are hoping to compete in two or three more events,” added Carrasco.

Aside from the PSC and David’s Salon, TRAP is banking on the support of Speedo, SBMA, Vitwater, Sunkist Drinks and Asian Center for Insulation Inc. to help finance the needs of the delegation.