John Chicano delivers 1st SEA Games gold as Filipinos go 1-2 in triathlon

Filipino triathletes Andrew Remolino and John Chicano waves the national flag after finishing first and second at the triathlon event of the 30th SEA Games in Subic, Zambales on Sunday, December 1, 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

SUBIC BAY — John ‘Rambo’ Chicano outpaced teenage triathlon sensation Kim Remolino Sunday to capture the first gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.

The duo completed the third straight 1-2 finish by Filipinos in men’s triathlon in the Games after pulling away from Indonesian challenger Muhammad Ahlul Firman in the bike-to-run transition.

Triathlete John “Rambo@ Chicano wins 1st SEA Games gold medal pic.twitter.com/DElOHSGdhE

— June Navarro (@junavINQ) December 1, 2019

Remolino took the silver while Firman took the bronze. Chicano’s gold came after he finished second to Nikko Huelgas in 2017.

Chicano’s time of one hour, 53 minutes and 26 seconds was a new SEA Games record. Remolino finished i. 1:55:03 while Firman clocked 1:57:10.

Defending champion Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe go for another 1-2 finish by Filipinos in the women’s race later Sunday morning.