Torres wins inaugural Powerman Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines – Monica Torres proved the fastest in her class after winning the inaugural Powerman Pilipinas participated in by world-class duathletes in Balanga, Bataan over the weekend.

Torres (3:19:46) of Standard Insurance nosed out  Japan’s Airi Sawada in 3:24:55 with third place taken by another Filipina duathlete Miscelle Gilbuena  in 3:34:14.

Torres, who was with the Standard Insurance top-notch athletes two years ago, celebrated her return to duathlon by ruling the race, finally besting Sawada for the first time after several tries.

She said the bike part was very technical, characterized by uphill climbs, descents and turns. But she banked on her familiarity of the terrain to full advantage.

Belgium’s multiple world champion Rob Woestenborghs had a winning time of 2:41:42 to become the first ever champion of Powerman men’s elite division.

This was the first time the international Powerman series has been held in the Philippines. It was also the first in Asia since Malaysia in 2013, attracting 327 athletes for the classic duathlon (10K-60K-10K), 36 relay entries and 245 for the sprint duathlon (5K-30K-5K).

Powerman Pilipinas, the world’s most prestigious duathlon series, will serve as a qualifier for the 2016 Powerman Zofingen. The country will also host  the Powerman series for the succeeding two years.