Mendez shocks field; Kahlefeldt tops women’s side

Ironman 70.3 Phl ASPAC

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — Fueled by more than personal glory, Mauricio Mendez of Mexico and new mom Radka Kahlefeldt of the Czech Republic dished out a tour-de-force performance and were fittingly rewarded with their greatest achievements to date.

“This is the biggest win of my (Ironman) 70.3 career and I’m super happy, of course,” Mendez said after laying claim to the coveted men’s title in yesterday’s Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa here.

“I dedicate this to my family, and those who support me, especially a close friend, my uncle who died two years ago in a car accident, this race was especially for him,” shared the 22-year-old Mexican, who checked home in front of shrieking fans in 3:46.45.

Sustaining the momentum from his triumph in the IM 70.3 in Davao last March, Mendez outshone what’s considered the strongest men’s field ever, leaving in his wake runner-up Tyler Butterfield of Bermuda (3:47.39), Braden Currie of New Zealand (3:48.12) and two-time AsPac titlist and 2016 world champ Tim Reed (3:52.51) of Australia and legendary five-time world ruler Craig Alexander (3:54.09).

“I didn’t expect this, I mean, prepared myself to win, but I don’t know, everyone is super strong here and prepared, too. So I’m really happy to take the win and I want to keep myself going in the sport,” said Mendez, a world champion in Xterra off-road triathlon in 2016.

Mendez was running seventh after the 90K bike but cranked it up in the footrace and blew by pacesetter Butterfield by the 16th kilometer mark on Punta Engano road. He seized a 22-second lead, never eased up, and won it by 54 seconds.

Like Mendez, Kahlefeldt turned things around in the culminating run, unleashing a blistering pace that left her pursuers struggling to keep up and zooming to a gap of at least seven minutes all the way home, where a sweet kiss from hubby and baby greeted her.

Kahlefeldt clocked 4:12.13 – over eight minutes clear of Swiss Caroline Steffen, who bucked a tire puncture to finish at 4:21.50, and Aussie Mel Hauschildt, who failed to defend her plum and settled for the bronze with 4:22.50.

“It’s amazing to win and to see a happy baby and a happy husband at the finish line. It’s just the best feeling, I can’t wait to give Baby Ruby cuddles and just talk to my husband,” she said.

It was a huge followup to Kahlefeldt’s triumph in the Davao IM 70.3 last March.

“This is my best result. Winning the championship is amazing but winning it in such a strong field made it even better,” said Kahlefeldt.

Cebu-based Banjo Norte also sparkled in the $75,000 event put up by title sponsor Aguila Energy Drink and Regent Food Corp. and produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. as he topped the men’s Asian Elite category with a winning time of 4:24:34. Another Phl bet, Alexandra Ganzon, reigned in the distaff side with 5:04.52.