Rider Omega Tri to boost Phl triathlon

CEBU, Philippines — The Rider Omega Tri Team finalized its partnership with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) to strengthen not only the team’s campaign this year but also the development of the sport in the country.

The Rider Omega Tri promised to help TRAP in its search for young athletes that have potentials in someday representing the country in international races especially in the Olympics.

“We have always been winning for the past years and we were thinking what else should we do? That is why we decided to partner with TRAP and helped them in developing athletes that will win the gold for the country,” said Rider Omega Tri Team manager Paul Jake Castillo during the team’s annual launch yesterday at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

“We will focus on three stakeholders and that is the athletes, coaches and technical officials. We will provide them free training that will boost their chance in getting into the Olympics,” said TRAP’s secretary general Tom Carasso.

Testament to Omega Tri’s excellence is young triathlete Karen Manayon, who is one of the country’s leading candidate to compete in this year’s Youth Olympic Games set in October in Argentina.

Manayon together with three other young Pinay athletes will undergo a series of extensive trainings in Thailand and Portugal to prepare them for the tough competition ahead.

Omega Tri team captain Tonyson Lee assured Manayon their full support as they also want the latter to be one of the country’s next Olympian.

Manayon is only one of the new additions to the team’s roster that  include Jorry Ycong, Maria Victoria Tan, Vic Montebon, Lee Stephen Fat, Katherine Jumapao, Kyle Ryan Ong, Michael Acas, Renzo Mar Paganas, Ivan Delica, Marielle Estreba, KC Espanol and coach Jovan Delica.

Old members who were also present yesterday were Maria Hodges, Cianyl Jamae Gonzalez, Frederick Castaneda, Alton Lorenzo Amor, Alton Amor, Brian Borling, Christopher Capistrano, Edwin Yu, Ishmael Cecilio, Johnny Ferniz, Joland Olmilla, June Briz Ocana, Stephanie Joyce Tan, Jose Antonio Yu, Steve Cortes, Welmar Saavedra, Mendel Lopez  and coach Franz Baguio.

Castillo added that the team is still looking for potential triathletes who want to train with them and be part of the national team. (FREEMAN)