JUSTIN Chiongbian topped the Cold Storage Singapore International Triathlon yesterday to kick off his strong buildup for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Chiongbian ruled the boys’ 13-15 division of the 200-meter swim, 10-km bike and two-kilometer run over 39 other YOG aspirants with a time of 25 minutes and 50 seconds.
In the girls’ side, Vicky Deldeo settled for a silver medal after checking in fifth in the swim leg where Malaysian Zoe Natasha Bowden built a comfortable margin to rule the event.
Chiongbian and Deldeo are the country’s top bets along with Jimuel Patilan and Magali Echauz for the YOG triathlon continental qualifying race slated June next year in Kazakhstan.
“Based on their performance, Justin and Vicky deserve to be in the YOG. Their performance in Singapore is a good confidence-builder in time for the continental qualifier,” said Philippine Olympic Committee chair and triathlon chief Tom Carrasco.
The second edition of the YOG will be held in Nanjing, China.
Chiongbian made his move in the bike segment where he ended up third behind rivals from the United States and Indonesia. Chiongbian then cranked it up halfway through the run leg and controlled the race. June Navarro