WITH THE bronze-medal finish of Robeno Javier in the recent Phuket Asian Beach Games, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) has joined the elite circle of “developed” national federations.
Trap is now ranked among the top eight NFs along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore as far as technical officials are concerned.
The association also merited high ratings from the Asian Triathlon Confederation following the body’s 2014 evaluation among its 35-member nations.
The Philippines also became one of the seven Asian nations certified by the International Triathlon Union as Level 3 technical official which qualifies Filipinos to officiate high level competitions like the Olympics, World Triathlon series and World Cups.
Trap president Tom Carrasco said the goal is to gain elite status in all development categories including “athletes development.”
Also boosting Trap’s regional status are Jonard Saim and Nikko Huelgas who wound up 10th and 11th, respectively, during the Incheon Asian Games.
Saim finished in one hour and 59 minutes while Huelgas covered the distance in 1:59:17, both times well within the Philippine standard of 1:59:44.
Ma. Claire Adorna and Marion Kim Mangrobang also made it as seventh and ninth among women bets.
Adorna, the country’s top triathlete, also captured a bronze in the Taipei International Triathlon.
The PH triathletes also finished sixth and seventh in mixed relay during the Asian Games and Asian Beach Games, respectively.