Century Tuna 5150 draws huge field

MANILA, Philippines - The Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon fires off tomorrow with a crack international field numbering to 1,200, including world class triathletes, bracing for a fierce battle for top honors in Subic Bay.

Headlining the aspirants in the men’s pro category are topnotch Australians Casey Munro, fifth-placer in the Ironman 70.3 Busselton and Geelong competitions; Eric Watson, ninth-placer in Challenge Taiwan and Challenge Philippines; Justin Granger, runner-up in Challenge Taiwan and fifth-placer in last year’s Century Tuna 5150; and Michael Murphy, runner-up in the2014 Challenge Philippines and third-placer in 2013 Century Tuna 5150.

Last year’s winner Luke McKenzie begged off from defending his crown in the event sponsored by Century Tuna, making it a wide-open battle with Slovakian Michael Bucek, the champion of the Bizent Bali International Olympic Distance Triathlon and 2013 70.3 Challenge Taiwan, and Hungarian Simon Agoston, fourth-placer of the 2014 Golden Triangle International Triathlon and winner of the 2013 Hua-hin and Bangkok Triathlon meets, also joining the title hunt.

Back-to-back defending champion Belinda Granger of Australia, meanwhile, is seeking to complete a three-peat in the distaff side of the event considered as biggest global Olympic distance triathlon series. The Australian ace has enjoyed a streak over the last three years, having ruled this year’s Challenge Taiwan and the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii in 2013, in addition to her back-to-back wins in the Century Tuna 5150.

Swiss Caroline Steffen, fondly known in the triathlon world as “Xena,” is also in the fold, making the chase for the crown a lot more interesting and competitive. A member of the Alaska Tri-Aspire Team, Steffen is coming off her conquest of the Ironman Australia Asia-Pacific tourney in Melbourne last March. She has been successful in the country as showcased by her victories in the Cobra Ironman in 2012 and 2013.

Equally determined to crowd the fancied bets is Australian pro Jodie Scott, who placed seventh in the 2014 Challenge Taiwan.

Local star Monica Torres, the elite champion of the last two editions of the Century Tuna 5150, carries the fight for the Philippines. She dominated the Asian elite division of the 2014 Challenge Philippines with the veteran campaigner hoping to sustain her momentum going to this competition.

The battle for the male pro crown is also expected to be an open race after l

A total of $10,000 will be at stake in the pro division and P120,000 will be up for grabs in the Filipino elite category of the event backed by Gatorade, Alaska, Aqua Sphere, Timex, Smart Live More, PLDT, Dept. of Tourism, Planet Sports, P&G, Prudential Guarantee, Intercare, The Philippine STAR, DeVant, LBC, Oakley, Subic Bay and GU Roctane.