Huelgas, Adorna step up SEAG triathlon build-up

MANILA, Philippines - Out to duplicate their golden effort last time, Filipino triathletes led by Nikko Huelgas have set in motion a rigorous buildup for the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

Men’s titlist Huelgas and women’s holder Claire Adorna, along with five other prospects in the Phl pool, are lined up for training camps in Portugal and Australia in a determined effort to get into top shape in time for their SEAG mission.

“Preparation for the SEAG is going okay and I’m looking forward to deliver my best together with my other teammates,” Huelgas told The STAR.

Huelgas and Adorna are joined in the seven-member SEAG pool by women’s silver medalist Kim Mangrobang, John Chicano, Edward Macalalad, Mark Hosana and Fil-Am Kim Kilgroe.

“So far we have just started our season as we are building base again. I’m currently training with co-SEA Games pool teammate John ‘Rambo’ Chicano in the North and we’ll have the Subic Bay Asian Cup in Apriil as our mandatory race for the first quarter,” said Huelgas.

The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) is setting up training camps in either Portugal under coach Sergio Santos or in Australia under Brett Sutton, depending on the triathletes’ preference.

“There will be overseas camps. The federation is still arranging the camps as we have our own preference of overseas camps like some in Australia and some are going back to Portugal. By February, most if not all of the seven SEA Games pool of athletes will already be on overseas training,” said Huelgas.