Lim, Ganzon top nat’l age-group triathlon opener

DANAO CITY, Cebu — With renewed confidence and fire in his eyes, Sean Lim of Pasay City won the opening leg of the 2004 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) here yesterday with the event’s best time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 57 seconds winning the age-group 20-24 title and 100 points for the series.

Lim, a former member of the Philippine Triathlon team, was followed by 25-29 champion Edwin "Johnny" Angelo (Cebu City) with 1:18:00 for 80 points. Third overall was 15-19 champion Gerrie Calinawan (RP Team Cebu City) with 1:21:43 for 70 points.

On the distaff side in the event sponsored by Speedo, Gatorade, Danao Telecom, City Government of Danao, RELTV Phils., Danao City Sports Commission, Philippine Sports Commission and the POC Sports For All Commission, Iloilo City’s Alexandra Ganzon had an easy victory in the 750M, swim-20K bike-5K run event, timing 1:29:42 for the 15-19 title and 100 points.

A distant second was Lapu-Lapu City’s Angel Oracion who won the female 30-over title with 1:51:42. Bacolod City’s Millano Morre (female 20-29 champion) timed 1:59:14 for third in the distaff side. Prior to the race, organized by Team Rambo and sanctioned by the Triathlon Association of the Phils. (TRAP), Ganzon had to ensure a 14- hour boat trip coming from Iloilo City.

RP Team’s teenage sensation Dee Rowan Fernandez (Talisay City) led the first half of the swim leg before being overtaken by eventual first-finisher Sean Lim. Lim revealed that he intends to return to the RP Team as his main goal in coming back in the sport.

Other champions in the competition included Mandaue City’s Trino Rey Transmonte (male 30-34), Cebu City’s James Doran Webb (male 35-39), Danao City’s Oliver Oliverio (male 40-44) and Dumaguete City’s Pio Salvador (male 50-54).

The second leg of the 2004 NAGT series is scheduled May 23 in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.