JOHN LEERAMS ‘RAMBO’ CHICANO

THREE-TIME Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medalist John Leerams “Rambo” Chicano showed his readiness to compete in the Hanoi Games as he topped the National Triathlon Trials at the Adventure Cove in Subic Freeport over the weekend.

Mr. Chicano overcame a slow start in the swim part with a powerful effort in the cycling and running phases to rule the one-day race in two hours, four minutes and 58 seconds, edging 2019 SEA Games silver medal winner Kim Remolino and Baguio City’s Josh Ramos, who snared the silver and bronze in 2:05:44 and 2:07:40, respectively.

The effort solidified Mr. Chicano’s place as the country’s top bet in both triathlon and duathlon in the biennial meet slated for May 12-23 after he also ruled the National Duathlon Trials in Clark, Pampanga in December last year.

The race is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, SBMA, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, FINIS and PTV4 and organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines headed by Tom Carrasco and secretary-general Ramon Marchan.

Cebu pride Raven Faith Alcoseba came through big in reigning supreme in the National Age Group Triathlon on the same date and venue by clocking 2:23:19.

Erika Nicole Burgos (2:25:44) and Lauren Plaza (2:29:38) took the silver and bronze, respectively.

Other category winners were Ronel Victor (men standard 18-24), Carl Vincent Gutierrez (25-29), Michael Kramer (30-34), Reagan Nabua (35-39), Jethro Ramos (40-44), Rene Tayag (45-49), Jessie Magat (50-54), Raoul Henson (55-and-over), Jacquelyn Ann Cruz (women standard 18-39), and Celma Hitalia (40-and-over).

In the age group, Darrel Johnson Badua and Erin Denise Burgos topped the super sprint for 13-15 years old, Kira Ellis in girls’ super sprint for 16-19 and Jacob Clint Lipura, Irenold Reig, Jr. and Matthew Justin Mendoza reigning as co-champions in the boys 16-19.

In the relay events, George Alcido and Neil Nazario took the mint in the standard relay men, Cathery Manalastas, Jilliane Santos and Anika Tayah in the women and Paolo Medina, Arnel Buhia and Angeline Milig in their standard mixed gender. — Joey Villar

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