Tributes for Igaña

ORGANIZERS of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 awarded to Ramon Igaña the finisher’s medal last Wedensday after a mass hosted by his officemates from an airline company he worked for.

Present in the turnover of medal were Sunrise Event’s Princess Galura, Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa’s General Manager Juergen Doerr and medal designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

“We know he had been training hard for this race and he would have wanted to have this medal,” said Galura.

They also gave medals to Igaña’s relay team mates—Dr. Benjamin Balaoro who did the swim course and his widow Dr. Humility who was supposed to do the 21K run.

Humility narrated how both of them were excited with the Ironman Cebu hosting and were even among the early registrants in the relay team under Team Bogdo (TTB).

“We signed up as early as January and were the third relay team of TTB. He was really fit and he even adjusted his schedule to his trainings,” she said. “Maybe it was not God’s plan for him. I wasn’t able to run but Ramie was able to finish his race.”

Meanwhile, top triathletes showed their gesture of sympathy to Igaña who died while doing the sport he loved the most.

Cobra Ironman Men’s Professional three-peat champion Pete Jacobs gave his triathlon kit, which had his cap, jersey, towel and a signed race bib.

Mendel Lopez, who was the top Cebuano placer in the Filipino Elite category, also offered his third place trophy.

“It was just fitting to give him the highest honor after he gave it his all in the spirit of triathlon,” Lopez said.

Humility is overwhelmed with the outpouring sympathy from the people who had been visiting her husband’s wake since Sunday.

“Overwhelming kaayo and many people really loved him not only from the sports community and work but even outside of his work,” she said.