Talisay City bets rule aquathlon

MATTHEW Justine Hermosa of Talisay City is fast becoming one of the country’s rising junior triathletes after putting up a string of victories in a span of three weeks.

Hermosa made his presence felt anew in the 2019 Batang Pinoy National Championship in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, about three weeks after he ruled the Alaska Fortified Ironkids Philippines here.

The 13-year-old eight-grader stamped his class in the boys’ 13 to 15 aquathlon race at the Speaker Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex on Friday morning, Aug. 30, 2019.

It was supposed to be a triathlon race but the organizers were forced to change it to aquathlon since the bike course was no longer safe for riding due to heavy rains.

In aquathlon, there is no biking leg and the athletes will only do the swim and run.

Hermosa finished the race in 15 minutes and 53 seconds to earn the gold medal. It was Hermosa’s second gold medal in a national level race in less than a month following the gold medal win in the Ironkids Philippines last Aug. 10. in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

It was a double victory for Talisay City as Jeanna Mariel Cañete nabbed the gold medal in the 13 to 15 girls’ side after clocking in 18:10.

Cebu, heralded as one of the top venues for triathlon, lived up to its billing after extending its dominance in younger division.

Cebu City’s Carron Paulter Cañas bagged the boys’ 11 to 12 crown. He crossed the finish line in 15:06.

Talisay City’s Moira France Erediano, who’s competing in her last year in the Batang Pinoy, finished in third place in the girls’ 13 to 15 with a time of 18:52.

Earol Belonguil also from Talisay City clocked in 16:13 to take the bronze medal in the boys’ 13 to 15. (RSC)