SEA Games 2023: Kim Mangrobang loses triathlon title to naturalized Cambodian

Southeast Asian Games – Triathlon – Individual – Kep, Cambodia – May 8, 2023 Philippines’ Marion Kim Exconde Mangrobang celebrates as she crosses the line to win silver in the women’s individual triathlon REUTERS/Cindy Liu

PHNOM PENH—Kim Mangrobang found naturalized Cambodian Margot Garabedian a tough customer on Monday at the Kep Beach Resort that ended the Filipino’s string of gold medals in women’s triathlon at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Garabedian quickly rose out of the water in the 750-meter swim, kept Mangrobang at bay in the 20km bike before sealing victory in one hour, five minutes and 34.2 seconds after a steamy 5km run.

Mangrobang, the three-time champion since the 2017 edition of the Games in Malaysia, reached the beach running third, slowed down in the bike sequence and chased Garabedian in the footrace.

But the former French triathlete, ranked 190th in world triathlon, fed on her advantage following the second transition and arrived at the finish arc ahead of everybody else.

Fresh from defending her title in women’s duathlon on Sunday, Mangrobang checked in nearly two minutes (1:07:24) after Garabedian, a seventh placer at the World Junior Championships in 2014.

Singapore’s Louisa Marie Middleditch placed third (1:07:24) in the swim-bike-run race of endurance.

Raven Alcoseba missed the podium at fourth (1:08:49.1), more than three minutes after the 27-year-old Garabedian.

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