PH triathletes begin trek to 2020 Tokyo Olympics

No Filipino has ever made it to the triathlon event of the Olympics since the sport’s debut in Sydney 2000. The 2020 Tokyo Summer Games may just be the Philippines’ perfect time to accomplish that.

National team coach Ani de Leon-Brown says the country is banking on Kim Mangrobang and Ma. Claire Adorna, gold and silver medalist, respectively, in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, to clinch Tokyo slots.

Only the world’s top 55 male and top 55 female triathletes, but limited to a total of three per country, will qualify for the Olympics. Countries usually send two or three men to the competition, leaving more room for Mangrobang and Adorna to earn berths, according to De Leon-Brown.

“Usually, only Great Britain, Australia and the United States send three females,” says De Leon-Brown, the first Filipino woman to compete in an Ironman World Championship. “I really feel good about the girls’ chances.”

Back to the grind

After an 18-day break that started the day after the SEA Games wrapped up the triathlon event on Aug. 21, the Philippine team resumed training at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, on Saturday.

Adorna and Mangrobang, along with Nikko Huelgas and John Chicano—also 1-2 in the KL Games—are set to compete in four World Cup events in China, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong to round out the year.

“We need to accumulate points,” says De Leon-Brown. “The more events we join, the bigger our chances are of making it to Tokyo.”

Listing for a major triathlon event doesn’t guarantee a starting slot in the race.

“When a triathlete is way below the points standings, there is a chance the registration may be rejected, so we really need to participate often,” said De Leon-Brown.

Adorna, a very competitive swimmer, having started in the sport at age four, admits that running is not her strongest suit.

A fish out of water

“I’m like a mermaid who dreams she can walk someday,” says the 24-year-old Sports Science graduate of the University of the Philippines.

“I’m naturally more suited to swimming and my feet are stronger flapping in the waters.”

Her professed weakness, a recent bout with the flu—she was taking 12 capsules a day to get rid of it—and a calf injury combined to relegate Adorna to second spot behind Mangrobang in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run event in Kuala Lumpur. She clocked 2 hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds, more than seven minutes behind Mangrobang’s 2:11:14.

But it’s all good for the team.

“That’s my and Kim’s goal before any race,” says Adorna, who is grateful for the support of the national team’s sponsors Unilab, Adidas, Felt Bicycles, Salice eyewear and Dolfin swimwear.

“We must always finish 1 and 2. We all train hard and Kim rightfully deserves the gold.”

Two years earlier in Singapore, it was Adorna who won the gold despite nursing an injury while Mangrobang took the silver.

For their KL achievements, Mangrobang will receive P300,000 and Adorna P150,000 in incentives from the government. De Leon-Brown is entitled to P225,000, or the equivalent of half of the total amount of the girls’ incentives.
In 2015, Adorna used her bonus to buy a car. This time, she’s saving for a house and lot.

“I felt like I was going to die in the SEA Games because I really wasn’t feeling well. I realized that I need to save [for the future] because I cannot race all my life,” says Adorna.

Collegiate champion

Adorna started out as a varsity swimmer, leading UP to University Athletic Association of the Philippines titles during her five years in the UAAP (2009 to 2013).

Her love affair with cycling, triathlon’s speediest leg, was born out of necessity. To avoid the heavy vehicular traffic between her house in Marikina and UP, she would borrow her father’s mountain bike to go to school.

Barely two years after Adorna plunged into triathlon she posted a seventh-place finish in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. And she plans to compete as far as her 5-foot-7 frame could carry her.

“I hope all future Philippine team members, not just in triathlon, will be committed to their sport and the country,” said Adorna.