Nikko Huelgas. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas heads the elite and junior triathletes sent to separate high-performance training camps overseas, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) said recently.
Huelgas, along with veterans Kim Mangrobang and Edward Macalalad, have been training at the Desmor HP Camp in Rio Maior, Portugal, under Sergio Santos.
Young triathletes Nicole Eijansantos, Brent Valelo, Yuan Chionbian and Una Sibayan, meanwhile, have been sent to the Asian Triathlon Confederation talent identification camp in Rayong, Thailand, under coach Peter Clifford after their gold-medal runs in various races the past years.
“The Rayong Camp’s objective is to pinpoint athletes from developing countries who have real potential so that Asia can be more competitive in world triathlon,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco, adding that the trips were supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Carrasco said the goal is to crash into the top five in the Asian Triathlon Championships in Japan this April.