Japanese big Asian duathlon threat

TIPPED to sustain their strong showing, Monica Torres and Mirasol Abad will lead the Philippine bid against some of the world’s best in the Century Tuna ASTC Asian Duathlon Championship on Nov. 25 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Abad, a silver medalist in the recent Powerman Malaysia, and Torres, who ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, banner the local campaign in the competitive women’s field that includes London Olympian Ai Ueda of Japan.

Local veterans Augusto Benedicto and Javier Robeno also face a tough challenge in the men’s side where world No. 33 Yuya Fukaura and world No. 59 Morimichi Lihoshi, both of Japan, are listed as favorites.

Over 600 racers are vying in the punishing 10K run-40K bike-5K run, which the Philippines is hosting for the fourth time.

Also expected to crowd the favorites are Isha bi Abedalaziz of Jordan, Syria’s Samir Hajazi and Mohammad Ashgari Khatooni of Iran, which has the largest contingent of 27, including female elite racers Roghaye Sharifi and Zeinab Agha Hasan Nooshbadi.

World No. 46 Andre Dos Santos of Brazil heads the non-Asian racers in the international category along with Russia’s Sergey Yakovlev, the Netherlands’ Thomas Bruins and Britain’s Steve Lumley. Jasmine W. Payo