ITU Subic int’l triathlon gets going May 5 and 6

LONDON Olympics qualifying points are at stake on May 5 and 6 when 40 or so crack triathletes take part in the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (Subit) presented by Century Tuna at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Nikko Huelgas and Monica Torres, recipients of the PSA’s top triathlete awards last year. will lead the Philippine challenge in the centerpiece Elite division.

Other Filipinos in the field are Jonard Saim, John Chicano, Kim Mangrobang and Kevin Eijansantos, the reigning Philippine National Games champion who is also a new addition to the national pool.

Saim, Chicano and Mangrobang will come into the event fresh from a high-performance camp in Brisbane under coach Dan Atkins.

Athletes from WORLD POWER Australia as well as those from China, Ireland, Jordan, Japan, Zimbabwe and Mexico, among others, are also seeing action.

A mini-sprint 13-15 category will also be held where the Filipinos will square off with entries from Malaysia, Thailand and China for possible entry into the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Magali Echauz, Batang Pinoy 2011 champion Jessica Salazar, V. Deldeo, Sixto Lalanto, Jimuel Patilan and Justin Chiongbian are the bright local prospects in the division.

“The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap) is once again bringing world-class triathlon to the country with the 2013 Asian Triathlon Championship in Subic Bay,” Trap president Tom Carrasco said.

K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Speedo, Ayala Malls, SM Olongapo David’s Salon, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, Fitness First, the Philippine Sports Commission and Standard Insurance are the event’s main backers.