Santiago dominates super tri kids

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen-year-old Santiago displayed the form that makes him a strong candidate for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games as he ruled the male 13-15 division in yesterday’s 2011 Speedo Super Tri Kids Multi-Sport Festival held at the Narra Park inside the Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.

Santiago ran a tactical race as he paced himself in the swim held at La Salle Alabang before turning on the heat in the bike and run to spoil the challenge from Justine Kyle Mapalo and Maro Pile for the gold medal in the race organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA).

“I really wanted to represent the country in the Youth Olympic Games that’s why I try to keep on improving every race,” said Santiago, an incoming fourth year high school student from Letran, who also won the gold medal in the Singapore duathlon mini-sprint race last Jan. 23.

Also supported by Speedo, Century Tuna, Fitness First, David Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, the event attracted 135 participants with half of number seeing action in the STK.

One accident, however, was recorded in the bike leg with organizers assuring everyone that improvements will be made to avoid a repetition of the incident.

“We are happy with the turnout with our focus on the 13-15 age group from where our bets for the YOG will come from. A minor accident happened but we will map out plans to further improve the race course especially in the bike route to address the safety of the participants,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr.

Benjamin Ryan Pangilinan, son of television personalities Anthony and Maricel Pangilinan, also made his mark in the male 9-10 as he outsprinted rival Jaime Mari Joaquin Morados in the last 100 meters to claim the gold medal.

He clocked at 16:05 or just a second ahead over Jaime Mari Joaquin Morados.

Other Super Tri Kids winners:

Male – Eric Almendral (7-8), Benjamin Ryan Pangilinan (9-10), Adriaan Have (11-12) for the males and Sophia Co (U6), Angelina Powell (7-8), Sophia Almendral (9-10), Ingrid Renee Dizon (11-12)

Female – Aina Farhana Farid (13-15)

Super Mini Sprint: Ralph Ong, Mara Guevarra.

Mini Sprint: Kurt Izak Mapua Cabanilla, Riezel Albano.

Aquathlon age group champions:

Male – Adam Lim (9-10), Austine Jean Morfe (11-12), Jimuel Niko Patilan (13-15) for the men; Paula Reyes (7-8), Denise Mike Donato-Morales (9-10), Victoria Deldio (11-12)

Female – Gaea Maranon (13-15)

Adult Class: Lee Myung Sea, Angeline Vilog