Classy Catiil shows up all comers

Proving he is still the best in his class, former national team standout Neil Catiil dominated the male 18-29 age category to rule the Century Tuna National Age Group Triathlon Series recently in the Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Catiil registered a time of two hours and 33 minutes in the 1K swim-30K bike-7.5K run to finish almost 20 minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Cagayan de Oro’s Candy Lu topped the women’s race with a 4:08.14 clocking, while 17-year-old national pool member Mary Pauline Fornea won the sprint distance side event in 1:34:29.

Ralph Martin finished a distant second to Catiil with a time of 2:51.31, while Fidel Ovas rounded out the podium finishers with a 2:54.52 clocking.

Other winners were 29-below champion Ylang Ylang Jordan (4:23:35) and Caroline Iris (4:52:20) along with sprint medalists Dexter Araquel, Paulo Ouano, Gregie Pamakid, Simon Flores and Junki Flores.

Former Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, Rep. Bullet Jalosjos and Dapitan City Vice Mayor Jing Chan presented the prizes to the winners.

“We are happy that Dapitan has been given the opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of Dakak and our hosting is part of our ongoing sports tourism promotion program for Dapitan and Zamboanga del Sur,” said the elder Jalosjos.