Diego Dimayuga eyes overseas races after Age Group triathlon win
Diego Jose Dimayuga at the finish line of National Age Group Triathlon Championships. –PHOTO/ Rey Nillama
SUBIC—Stunning the field in a race he’s not supposed to conquer, 13-year-old Diego Jose Dimayuga has gained enough confidence in expanding his horizons.
“I want to explore international races, so I can start building up my resume,’’ said Dimayuga immediately after defeating his more seasoned rivals in the 2025 National Age Group Triathlon Championships on Saturday.
The Grade 7 swim-bike-run novice from Singapore Manila Green Campus in Silang, Cavite crossed the line in 30 minutes and 55 seconds ahead of the rest in the boys’ under-15 division in dominating fashion.
Lauren Lee Tan of Ormoc Aquatic Edge, meanwhile, ruled the girls’ 13-15 category in 34 minutes and seven seconds, fending off Christy Ann Perez of TLTG Go For Gold Philippines (34:27) and Alaina Bouffaut (35:04) in a tight race to the finish.
“It was a tough competition and I’m happy that I managed to win my first gold,’’ said the 12-year-old Tan from St. Paul’s School in Ormoc City.
Dimayuga speedily emerged from the 500m swim first on the calm waters off the Subic coast and maintained his lead against the ferociously chasing Pio Mishael Latonio and David Mora throughout the 10km bike sequence.
After widening the gap along the roads of the Subic boardwalk, Dimayuga slowed down a bit at the second transition and during the 2km run stretch, but Latonio and Mora just couldn’t overcome the deficit.
“I want to be more experienced in triathlon. I want to explore racing outside of the Philippines, so I can also compete in the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games and hopefully in the Youth Olympics,’’ said Dimayuga.
Triathlon is a consistent source of gold medals for Team Philippines in SEA Games, which Thailand will host at the end of the year while Dimayuga is likewise eyeing a spot in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Also capturing gold medals in the races organized by Triathlon Philippines were Eli Julian Dela Cruz of TLTG Go For Gold Philippines in the boys 7-8 category and Abigael Gouffaut of Get Coach’D Academy on the girls’ side.
Pele Matteo Latonio won the boys’ 11-12 title, Elise Salas of Olongapo the girls’ 11-12 plum while Gabriel Tapuro of Team Megawide and Pia Gienne Meiko Gito of Sante Barley TriTeam topped the boys’ and girls’ 9-10 divisions.
The men and women standard distance and sprint distance races will be held Sunday, which will serve as the tryouts for the national triathlon squad, according to TriPhil president Tom Carrasco.
