Monday, May 8, 2006
HK Olympian sinks Subic rivals to claim 3rd triathlon crown
Japanese bet rules women's race
First posted 03:46am (Mla time) May 08, 2006
By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer
Editor's Note: Published on page A34 of the May 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
SUBIC, Zambales -- Hong Kong's Daniel Lee Chi-wo felt no need to look over his shoulder.
Lee, the lone Olympian in the elite field, displayed enough confidence and swagger yesterday to dominate the 12th Legenda-Subic Bay International Triathlon here.
“I expected to win,” the lean, 29-year-old Lee proudly said after the arduous 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run competition that started and wound up at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority boardwalk.
Pulling away in the run leg, Lee ruled the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 14 seconds for his third victory in the prestigious annual event.
“Everyone stayed together, and I decided to press for the run,” said Lee, a veteran of the 2004 Athens Olympics. “I ran pretty well. I started with a constant pace until I was up by nearly a minute.”
Second-placer Kodo Hiramatsu of Japan tried to keep up, but was no match in the foot race against Lee.
“His running was better than mine,” conceded Hiramatsu of the Hong Kong bet, who also triumphed here in 2000 and 2001.
The 25-year-old Hiramatsu clocked 2:04:10, over a minute ahead of teammate Satoshi Iwata who timed 2:05:43.
Japan did not fall short in the women's division, however, as Satomi Okouchi won with a time of 2:26:37.
The 24-year-old Okouchi pulled away right in the first lap of the run but encountered difficulty negotiating the bike course in the Binictican Heartbreak Hills.
LC Langit came home four minutes behind the Japanese in second spot -- the best finish by a Filipino in the competition.
“I was able to keep pace with (Okouchi) in the bike leg because I'm familiar with the course,” said Langit. “I tried to keep pace with her (in running), but it was hard.”
The 19-year-old Langit, a member of De La Salle University's swim team, timed 2:30:08, way ahead of third placer and teammate Mimi Lucas (2:38:07).
The Philippines' veteran campaigners, including Southeast Asian Games medalists Sandra Araullo and Ani de Leon, skipped the race due to injuries.
National champion Arland Macasieb surprisingly competed despite a shin injury, but could only muster a 10th place finish in the men's race.
Legend International Resorts CEO Khoo Boo Boon sent off the 245 entries from Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, New Zealand, Austria and the Netherlands.
Perennial teen champions Joash Serrano (1:09:33) and Kim Mangrobang (1:19:05) ruled the junior male and female sprint, while Bonnie Sy (1:23:46) topped the adult sprint. Polo Tri won the team event with a cumulative time of 10:35:23.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer