Special triathletes at Century Tuna 5150: It’s all iron will, heart

MANILA, Philippines - For this small group of special athletes, it’s definitely not about the bike.

“You cannot rely on your bike a hundred percent,” said 28-year-old Arnel Aba, one of the participants in last Sunday’s Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon at Subic.

Aba, who acts as leader of the Wetshop Para Tri Team, is no ordinary athlete. He lost his right leg in a vehicular accident in Iligan City in 2004.

He said it was difficult for him to adjust because the accident happened when he was already a grown man.

“It was not in-born on my part so it was more difficult. But I didn’t give up. I learned to accept my fate,” said Aba.

Yes, he’s a triathlete.

Joining Aba in the team are Andy Avellana, a one-legged biker, Godfrey Taberna, who rides the bike with a right club foot, Sixto Ducay, who had polio on his arms, and Raul Anguluhan, a one-armed runner. Also with the team is Roland Sabido.

They took part in the relay event of the Century Tuna 5150.

Aba takes pride that he and his “Band of Brothers” are always there to compete, giving even the able-bodied athletes a run for their money.

They compete with what they have, and what they have are far less, far inferior than what most of the participants bring with them at the back of their SUVs.

Last Sunday’s event was a showcase, an exhibit of the latest technology in bikes, carbon-fiber frames in aero-dynamic shapes and wheels that almost carry no weight.

Some of these bikes cost over half a million pesos – each.

Ducay can only drool at these bikes because the one he uses,  full-metal jacket, is both rusty and heavy.

“Yung bike ni Sixto pag nakita mo kalawang (If you see his bike there’s rust). Pero nakakahanap siya ng paraan (But he finds a way),” said Aba.

“Natutuhog pa din niya yung magagandang bike (He still passes the nice bikes),” Aba added.

“May advantage din kung magaan ang bike mo. But it’s still in the rider 99.9 percent. Nasa puso (heart). Nasa mentalidad (mentality),” he said.

He gave a piece of advice to those who want to go into triathlon, whether he’s differently-abled or able-bodied.

“Never give up. If you really want to excel in something don’t let your disability stop you. Palaging may paraan. Especially with able-bodied athletes. Minsan nag-cramps lang gusto na tumigil,” he said.

“Any sport is difficult. Pero nakukuha lahat sa training. Sipag lang. Dapat patient ka,” he said.

They made a lot of heads turn during the race, and even after the event, a lot of people came to them to have their pictures taken.

They never turned down a request.

They were rewarded later on when they were crowned champions in the men’s relay event, besting 12 other teams of able-bodied athletes.

Aba and his buddies won with a time of two hours, 23 minutes 47 seconds, seven minutes ahead of their closest pursuers.

To them, it’s not about the bike.

“It’s the fighting spirit,” said Aba.