Monday, May 8, 2006
HK pro wins 3rd Subic triathlon race
ATHENS OLYMPIAN Daniel Lee Chi Wo from Hong Kong lived up to his lofty billing and added a third title to his collection in Subic by fending off Japanese and Kiwi challengers en route to winning yesterday's 12th Legenda-Subic Bay International Triathlon.
Back to back winner of the event in 2000 and 2001, the 29-year-old professional triathlete was second man after New Zealand entry Liam Scopes after the 1.5K swim leg but took the lead in the first loop of the ensuing 40K bike leg though he failed in his attempts to pull away from the field.
Lee Chi Wo clocked a cumulative time of 2:03.14 and won R40,000 for his effort while second placer and former Subic Bay Triathlon champion and newly-crowned Asian Aquathlon champion Kodo Hiramatsu finished in 2:04.10 of the race that was fired off by Legenda Hotels CEO Khoo Boo Boon.
"He was a better runner than me, I am disappointed because I also expected to win the race," said Hiramatsu who relegated countryman Iwata Satoshi to third with the latter's 2:05.43 clocking, rounding out the top 5 male elite finishers in the ITU and ASTC – sanctioned race were Kiwi first-timers Scopes, 2:06.04, and Hamish Johnson, 2:07.12.
The best placed Filipino was Fil-Am and SEA Games bronze medalist Arland Macasieb, who bucked a shin injury and caught up with erstwhile local pacer Mikki Quilala only in the last 800 meters of the final run leg to finish 10th in 2:11.11.
The event is also sponsored by Speedo, PowerBar, David's Salon and Spa, Asian Centre for Insulation, Herbalife, PSC, and Grand Seasons, Legenda Suites, and hosted anew by the SBMA.
What the Japanese triathletes failed to do, their female counterpart Satomi Okouchi did as she fashioned a come-from-behind victory over local bet Lea Coline Langit in the female elite division for her very first taste of a championship, clocking 2:26.37 for the distance.
Source: Manila Bulletin