TRAP focuses on youth in 2012 triathlon program

MANILA, Philippines - Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) president Tom Carrasco announced yesterday that TRAP is adopting a new tack this year – “putting more investments on our youth.”

 “New talents are to be infused to the national pool, making nearly one half of the pool under 20 years old,” said Carrasco, who is also treasurer of the International Triathlon Union and senior vice president of the Asian Triathlon Confederation.

To-date, at least six new recruits from Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, Olongapo City and Nueva Ecija have been listed.

TRAP’s main targets are to have Filipino triathletes compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

La Salle’s Nikko Huelgas, the country’s No. 1 triathlete and triathlon team captain, and Laguna’s Kim Mangrobang, top lady triathlete, test their mettle in the World University triathlon championship in Taiwan in May 2012 to signal the start of the campaign for the Olympics.

Vital components of the campaign include participation in the Asian Games, ITU events, and Asia Cup series.

For the younger set (aged 13-15 years), they are to show their wares in the Batang Pinoy and the National Age Group Triathlon series and selected international age group competitions.

The duathlon (run-bike-run) squad is to focus on training for 2013 World Games in Colombia.

Lined up this year for the duathletes are a series of duathlon races culminating with the holding of the 2012 Asian Duathlon Championships in Clark, Pampanga this November. In the international scene, the Powerman Malaysia duathlon beckons.

Meanwhile, TRAP also announced that the Green Triathlon environmental awareness project is to be continued and the TRIgiving community-building initiative is to be launched. Both are to be done in accordance with the sustainability program of the ITU.