With a chance to measure itself against some of the world’s finest later this month, the Philippine triathlon team is liking its chances when it tries to defend its thrones in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games this May.
The Nationals—led by Fer Casares and Kim Mangorabang—will be competing one last time in Subic before they head for Cambodia, where they will try to extend to five editions their reigns in the endurance contest for men and women.
“They will be all doing the Subic International Triathlon on April 23 (which will have) the highest level of competition seen in the race in years,” national coach Ani de Leon told the Inquirer on Sunday. “Elites like Richard Varga of Spain and other [fellow] Olympians are in the mix.”
The seasoned mentor feels such a field should provide another layer of boost for her charges who are being prepared to race shorter distances in Phnom Penh.
“We’re known to have the best stamina in all of Southeast Asia, that’s why we’ve been winning for how many editions now,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not good at sprinting as well. So don’t count us out just because the distances are shortened.”
De Leon said that the Nationals will see action in four events: aquathlon individual, duathlon individual, triathlon individual, and aquathlon mixed team relay which, in a way, pose some challenges for the coaching staff.
“We have to make sure that each bet assigned to those events, their needs are addressed. They have varying programs, with varying focuses. So we really had to balance things out. It’s not like when everyone’s just competing in triathlon and you just whip up a single program.”
Casares delivered a gold medal in the men’s race in the Hanoi edition of the Games last year. Mangrobang, meanwhile, turned in another brilliant performance to rule her pet event for a third straight time.
“It’s a bit complicated but we’re on a good build-up,” De Leon said. “I have adopted their training specific to their distances so, no problem!” INQ