Fines tops Asian BMX meet, enhances Rio bid

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Sienna Fines stayed on track of her Olympic berth quest as she copped the Women’s Juniors gold medal in the 2015 Asian Continental BMX Championships in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar over the weekend.

The 17-year-old Fines, who traces her roots to Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, posted a winning time of 36.190 against Chutikarn Kitwanichsatien of Thailand, who settled for silver, and Khiwg Zin Moe of host Myanmar, who took the bronze.

Chinese Yan Wang placed fourth followed by Indonesians Crismonita Diwi Putri, Cupi Nopianti, and Regina Patricia Panie, Chinese Chanyuan Lyu and Indonesian Tifania Adien Almira Azaria in that order.

“It feels incredible to win my first Asian Championship title, especially coming off an injury and being the youngest rider in my category,” Fines said.

Fines earned 60 UCI points with the victory. Prior to her triumph in Myanmar, Fines is ranked 35th in the world.

“Nothing is guaranteed yet with still 10 months until the 2016 Rio Summer Games. But this win will put me in a great position to potentially earn a spot in Rio because winning a Continental Championship is the second biggest achievement to winning a World championship,” said Fines, who will move up to the Seniors division next year in the final push for a Rio berth.

Meanwhile, Thai-American Amanda Carr stamped her class in the Women’s Elite hostilities, beating Chinese Yan Lu and Japanese Haruka Seko for the crown.

Yoshitaku Nagasako led a 1-2-3 finish for Japan in Men’s Elite, towing Jukia Yoshimura and Tatsumi Matsushita in the podium.

Japanese Daichi Yamaguchi, meanwhile, won the Men’s Juniors title, beating compatriot Yuto Hasegawa and Thai Sitichok Kaewsikhaw.