SEA Games: Philippines sweeps triathlon events after mixed relay gold

John Leerams Chicano crosses the finish line as Team Philippines celebrate their win in the triathlon mixed relay at the 30th sea games in Subic, Zambales. Inquirer/Grig c. Montegrande

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippines completed a sweep of gold medals in the triathlon competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games here on Monday.

Three present and former gold medal winners and a walk-in team applicant climaxed the Filipinos’ domination of triathlon competition by taking the mixed relay gold.

Women’s individual champion Kim Mangrobang led off the four-man relay and men’s gold medallist John Leerams ‘Rambo’ Chicano anchored the victory that wound up triathlon action in the Games.

Claire Adorna, the 2015 individual women’s champion and 2017 runnerup, and Spanish-Filipino discovery Fernando Casares completed the Filipinos’ medal haul of three golds and two silvers, the best possible outcome for any team.

The mixed relay event called for two men and two women each completing a course of 340 meters swim, 6.6 kms bike and 1.8 km run. The anchorman needed to run an extra 200 meters to the finish line.

The Philippine lineup was so strong the outcome was put beyond doubt by the time Mangrobang built a 50 second lead after her bike leg.

Mangrobang is a two-time gold medallist

In the Games. She also won a silver when she came in second behind Adorna in 2015.

Casares, born in Madrid to a Filipino mother, came to Manila early this year to apply for a spot in the National team. His credentials checked out and he earned a spot in the team after two qualifying races.

Chicano, a former janitor and bike mechanic, captured the men’s gold on Sunday after finishing second in 2017.