MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Paratriathlon Committee (PPTC ) has announced the formation of the national paratriathlon training team, initially composed of three athletes but with slots still open for new entries.
The athletes are 17-year-old Nelmida twins Jerome and Joshua, both visually impaired paratriathletes, and Cebuano Alex Silverio, who lost his left arm in accident years ago. The Nelmidas have completed various aquathlon and triathlon races the past years, including the ASTC Asian Paratriathlon Championship in 2015 and 2017 in Subic while Silverio, who is aiming to be the first Filipino paratriathlete to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics, is Cebu’s very first certified triathlon finisher and enjoys strong support from the Cebuano triathlon community including Parklane International Hotel.
The coaching staff is headed by Anthony Lozada certified Level 2 coach under both the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Swimming Coaches Association, with PJ Rivera , as assistant coach and Cebu-based Bobby Martinez as regional trainer-handler.
“We are looking to the Asian Paratriathlon Championship set this August in Legaspi, Albay as our center piece event that will also serve as a qualifying event for for the national team. We are also working on the inclusion of paratriathlon in the 2019 ASEAN ParaGames, for the national team, and coordinating with the Marines and Air Force as possible sources of prospective paratriahletes,” said PPTC chairman Lito Cinco adding that paratriathlon events will also be included in national age group triathlon legs.