CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's reigning triathlon queen Rochelle Tan is back in fighting mood as she topped the opening salvo of the three-leg Congressman Red Durano Triathlon Series the other day at Luyang Beach Resort in the northern Cebu town of Carmen.
The affable Tan, who swiftly rose to prominence after winning three consecutive major events two months ago, saw action in the girls 16-19 category but she came out the fastest among all female entries in the sprint triathlon with the time of one hour, 20 minutes and 36 seconds.
Gabriellie Gail Salimbangon wound up second with a 1:39:05 clocking.
Fatima Kei Cabitan, Hannah Galo and Xedessa Villo Cuyos-bagged gold medals in their respective age-groups without opposition.
Cabitan timed one hour, 20 minutes and 48 seconds in the female 20-24 class, Galo clocked in 1:24:02 in the 21-25 category, while Villo-Cuyos posted the time of 1:51:30 in the 30-34 class.
Vangie Janea outsmarted Rowena Duarte for the top spot in the 35-39 class. She clocked in 1:46:17, five minutes ahead of Duarte.
Not to be outdone, Rochelle’s dad Tyrone dominated the men’s 40-44 division with the time of 1:16:36.
Junki Flores reigned supreme in the 45-49 division in 1:22:50, Eugene Sanchez dominated the 35-39 category in 1:11:10, while Christian Villanueva lorded it over in the 16-19 class with a time of 1:24:20. - THE FREEMAN