RISING Cebuano junior triathletes, who will represent the Cebu City Niños triathlon team in the Batang Pinoy Games National Finals in Bacolod City on Dec. 7 to 13, had a respectable tune-up competition last Sunday in the 24th Cebu City Olympics in Cebu City Sports Center.
Issa Priagula, who is representing North District 8, from Maria Montessori International School, finished with a silver medal in the 1,500-meter run and a bronze in the 3,000m steeple chase. She also turned 15 that day.
Her teammates from Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus Ralph Eduard So and Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon grabbed bronze medals in the 800m and 1,500m runs, respectively. They competed for South District 6.
The children were coached by multi-titled triathlete and runner John Philip Dueñas.
According to Dueñas, his athletes are on the right track and are bracing for the Batang Pinog Games.
“They performed very well. Their podium finishes mean that they are in great condition for the December Batang Pinoy National Finals. Next week, we will be starting our swimming training, followed by the bike training,” Dueñas said.
The team will compete in the triathlon event races in the 400-meter swim, 12k bike and 2.5k run in the standard distance, and relay that has a 200m swim, 3k bike and 1.2k run.
The team is also competing in the duathlon event of the national meet in both relay and individual categories.