Huelgas, Burgos stand out at Vermosa

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas and Erika Nicole Burgos stood out among the winners in the standard distance contest of the Vermosa Aquathlon 1 held recently at the world-class Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite.

Huelgas was unstoppable from start to finish as he topped the 500 meter swim and 5km  run course in a swift 25 minutes and 54 seconds, easily winning the male 25-29 age-group title.

The next two fastest males from the 18-24 category were Juan Francisco Baniqued and Inaki Lorbes, who finished in 27:00 and 27:17, respectively.

Burgos emerged as the female 18-24 champion after clocking 30:33. She was followed by female 15-17 champion Olivia Kwon in 33:25 female 18-24 entry Bea Marie Quiambao in 34:30.

The relay champions were Team AA (all-female) composed of Mikaela Arroyo and Boo Pascual, Team Good Boiz (all-male) composed of Hjalmar Pasaylo and Lorenzo Joaquin Solda, and Team GG (mixed) composed of Gabriella Venturina and Mark Garin.

Huelgas, who won the SEA Games gold medals in 2015 and 2017, praised the quality of the race course, stating that the lanes in the Olympic-sized swimming pool were spacious while the angular roads around Vermosa provided the challenge. This was his first time ever to race in the venue.