ASTC Asian Duathlon up

MANILA, Philippines - Duathletes from Jordan, Syria and Iran are seen to crowd out Asian powerhouse Japan for elite honors in the Century Tuna ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships set Nov. 25 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Japan’s Yuya Fukaura (world No. 33) and Morimichi Lihoshi (No. 59) will face off with Jordan’s Isha bi Abedalaziz, Syria’s Samir Hajazi and Iran’s Mohammad Ashgari Khatooni for the men’s title.

In the distaff side, a Japanese trio bannered by London Olympian Ai Ueda will find Iran’s Roghaye Sharifi and Zeinab Agha Hasan Nooshbadi a tough pair to beat along with Singapore’s Zhiyun Lin. Sharifi and Nooshbadi are Iran’s first elite female duathletes and their participation is a first in Asian duathlon history.

Mirasol Abad, a recent silver medalist in the tougher Powerman Malaysia, and former world No. 4 Monica Torres are the country’s best bets. Finishing in the top 5 are within reach for Augusto Benedicto and Javier Robeno.

Airman Ryan Mendoza topped the continent’s premier 10K run-40K bike-5K run in 2006.

Spicing the event sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission, Fitness First, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Standard Insurance and Gatorade, are non-Asian duathletes vying for the limited qualifying slots in the 2013 Duathlon World Championships (World Games) in Colombia.

Brazil’s Andre Dos Santos (world No. 46), Russia’s Sergey Yakovlev, the Netherlands’ Thomas Bruins and Great Britain’s Steve Lumley will see action in the international category.