Deldio rallies to earn place in Youth Games

MANILA, Philippines - Vicky Deldio booked a berth in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games set Aug. 16-28 in Nanjing, China after clinching one of the allotted spots in the triathlon qualifying race in Burubay, Kazakhstan over the weekend.

Deldio fought back from as far as 12th place after the swim leg with a strong finish in the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and five-km run race, finishing with one-hour, 11-minute and 30-second clocking.

The Olongapo City-based Deldio actually finished ninth but rules set by the International Triathlong Union for the YOG qualifier states that only one triathlete per country can qualify for the event.

Korea, Japan and China each had two bets who finished ahead of Deldio.

Deldio thus became the first Filipino triathlete to qualify in the YOG.

Justin Chiongbian and Jose Nobles IV also vied in the boy’s section but both missed the cut.

“I am truly proud of the young team we sent to Kazakhstan YOG qualifying,” said triathlon chief and Phl Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco Jr.

Deldio will thus join Kobe Paras, who will play in 3x3 basketball, two archers and a gymnast in the YOG which has lured 155 countries, including a 142-strong Chinese team.