World champ to defend Ironman-RP title

NEW ZEALAND’S Terenzo Bozzone topped three of the 10 triathlon races he saw action in since ruling the Philippines’ inaugural Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur last year.

Ominous news for his rivals: the 2008 Ironman world champion is coming back to defend his crown on Aug. 22, when the Ironman 70.3’s second edition returns to the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex.

“We saw each other in Los Angeles a few weeks back and he said he can’t wait to return to the Philippines,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, president-CEO of Ironman-RP organizer Sunrise Events Inc., during yesterday’s press conference at the Dusit Hotel in Makati.

Bozzone clocked 3 hours, 51 minutes and 25 seconds in beating 2008 Ironman Hawaii champion Chris McCormack (3:52:18) and Cameron Brown (3:52:31) in last year’s 1.2-mile (1.9K) swim, 56-mile (90K) bike and 13.1 mile (21.1K) run competition.

The top favorite in the distaff side is Sydney Olympics silver medalist Michellie Jones of the United States. None from last year’s international female competitors have signed up, though, citing various reasons.

At the vanguard of the RP challenge this time is last year’s top Filipino Noy Jopson.

The 2nd Cobra Ironman has drawn 841 entries, up from the first edition’s 583. A total of 604 racers, plus 79 relay teams of three members each have signed up to compete.

Uytengsu said foreign participants heaped praises on the organizers for holding the “best first-time event in Ironman history,” even though a participant died last year— 52-year-old pre-need executive Miguel Vasquez, who suffered a stroke during the swim event.

Among the safety measures to be introduced this year are the posting of divers and lifeguards at every 100 meters of the swim event and the provision of a cold pool for swimmers at the end of the leg.

The Alaska Ironkids for children aged 6 to 14 years old will be held the day before.