Asian Games: PH’s Fernando Jose Casares winds up 10th in triathlon

FILE–Philippines’ triathlete Fernando Jose Tan Casares. REUTERS/Cindy Liu

HANGZHOU, China—Southeast Asian champion Fernando Jose Casares found the continental field tougher after checking in 10th in men’s triathlon in the 19th Asian Games on Friday.

Casares, who claimed back-to-back gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games, crossed the line in two hours and 53 seconds at the Chun’an Jieshou Sports Centre Triathlon Course, 10 minutes behind Japanese winner Kenji Nener.

Japan completed a 1-2 finish with Makoto Odakura grabbing the silver in 1:51.49 and Kazakhstan’s Ayan Beisenbayev picking up the bronze in 1:52.25.

Another Filipino, perennial SEA Games silver medalist Andrew Kim Remolino arrived 13th out of 29 competitors in 2:04.47 after completing the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40km bike and 10km run race of endurance.

Three-time SEA Games gold performer Marion Kim Mangrobang and Raven Faith Alcoseba will try the course made challenging by narrow bike lanes and compressed run pathways in the women’s individual race on Saturday.