CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's pride Justin Liam Chiongbian powered his way to a golden finish in the 13-15 mini sprint class of the Century Tuna-presented ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships yesterday at the Remy Field in Subic Bay Freeport.
Chiongbian, a student of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, finished the race in 37 minutes and 51 seconds.
Chiongbian's compatriot Jose Nobles placed second with the time of 37:54, while Iran’s Saeid Alizadeh wound up third with a 38:09 clocking.
Mirasol Abad, on the other hand, carved history in the Philippine duathlon scene as she earned a slot to the 2013 World Games in Colombia following a third place in the women’s elite category dominated by Japan's Ai Ueda and Eri Miyazawa.
Abad timed two hours, one minute and 17 seconds.
The other Pinoy athletes who figured prominently in the two-in-one joust were 21-year-old John Chicano from Olongapo, Robinson Estevez and Nikko Huelgas who swept the men’s under-23 elite class and Victorya Deldio, who bagged silver medal in the female mini sprint.
“It was a fruitful hosting as Abad became the first duathlete from the Philippines to compete in a World event while victories posted by our young duathletes showed that we are on the right track as far as developing our athletes is concern. We will try to look for a good duathlon coach from abroad to help train Abad in time for the World Games,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco, Jr.
It was the fourth time that the country hosted the ADC event, with the latest edition gaining distinction as the biggest ever with 455 entries including 150 foreigners. (FREEMAN)