Huelgas willing to represent PH ‘in a heartbeat’ in 2019 SEA Games

Filipino triathlete Nikko Huelgas shows off his second straight SEA Games gold medal. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

There’s no way Nikko Huelgas, who has risen as the face of Philippine triathlon, is going to pass up on a chance to represent the country in the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games two years from now.

Especially when the next staging of regional sports spectacle will be in the country.

“Definitely, I want to compete again. I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Huelgas told INQUIRER.net during his hero’s welcome dinner at Discovery Suites Hotel Wednesday night.

Huelgas successfully defended his men’s triathlon crown in the SEA Games on Sunday after the Philippines finished 1-2 in the event with John Chicano claiming silver.

Huelgas’ eyes lit up when asked about the possibility of going for a third consecutive SEA Games gold medal in front of his countrymen, but he also doesn’t want to look to far ahead.

The 26-year-old Huelgas is set to go back to training sooner than later and though his best years are still ahead of him, he is wary of the wear and tear that every athlete who undergoes rigorous training is susceptible to.

“It will be an honor to represent the country on your home soil, but I take it race by race. As they say, you get more injury prone when you get older,” he said.