14 triathletes to Yokohama World Kids Sports Summit

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen young triathletes discovered and developed under the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) Superkids development program get the rare privilege to improve their craft abroad as they participate in the first ever World Kids’ Sports Summit and Triathlon in Yokohama, Japan from Aug. 19 to 24.

Sixteen countries comprising 800 kids athletes from 10 to 15 years old, are taking part in the Summit set on Aug. 21 at the Pacifico Yokohama and the World Kids Triathlon on Aug. 23.

The Philippines received an invitation from the Japan Triathlon Union in recognition of TRAP’s extensive grassroots program especially among kids.

Aside from the host and the Philippines, other participating countries are Paraguay, Mongolia, China, New Zealand, Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, USA, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Ireland.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is supporting the activity. The Summit aims to create the World Kids Sports Summit in Yokohama Declaration and the message will be dispatched to all over the world, including the 121 National Federations who are members of the International Triathlon Union (ITU).

A total of 200 kids who joined the Summit will have the chance to see action in the first World Kids’ Triathlon which will start right after the World Championships Men’s Elite race on Sunday.

Selected to banner the Philippine team are Gene Paguia, Ralph Joseph Gonzales, Isaiah Miguel Dizon, Gabriele Allen Santiago, Javier Adrian Ocampo, Jose Ignacio Mapa, Dexter Bea Salera, Akira Michico, Sam and Denise Faith Garcia, Christine Beatrix Manalo and Josephine, Therese and Andrea Santos.

“These are our best triathletes who excelled in our Superkids Triathlon and Aquathlon Series. They will represent the Philippines since they come from different parts of the country,” said Ani Karina de Leon, who along with Abet Alon Alon, handles the Superkids program.

De Leon and Alon Alon will also join the delegation along with Joey Santos who has been designated team captain and was in constant communication with team captains of participating nations since June. He will also be tasked to deliver a speech on the spirit of fair play during the summit.

TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. underscored the importance of the Summit and Triathlon to the development of the young triathletes, saying “exposing them at an early age will surely benefit this young batch of triathletes since they will be able to hone their skills and at the same time mingle with the future batch of athletes from other countries.