Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Training camp sharpens up young national triathletes
First posted 05:14:24 (Mla time) July 18, 2007
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- A week-long training camp conducted by a veteran Australian coach has boosted the Philippines' drive to be at par with the continent's finest triathletes in the junior category.
National team members Kim Mangrobang and Joash Serrano, Andrew and Ana Gatmaitan, Roel Odario and national duathlon junior champion Analiza Dysangco joined the camp held by Australian triathlon coach Jamie Turner, a veteran of more than 40 international training camps.
A separate four-day coaching course was conducted by ITU Sports Development official Alan Ley.
Triathletes from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Chinese-Taipei also joined the event held at the Subic Bay Freeport.
“We try to spread the global message on the latest developments in triathlon which the athletes and coaches should know,” Turner said. “Asian triathletes are five to 10 years behind world standards, and this is part of ITU's move to upgrade them to world-class level.”
Former national women's triathlon champion Ani de Leon, and duathlon coaches Mark Candelaria and Melvin Fausto attended the coaching accreditation course.
Four coaches each represented Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, with Chinese-Taipei sending two and Thailand one.
Turner said the camp is part of ITU's worldwide program to develop triathlon in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
He pointed out that development of top triathletes and coaches will always depend on the support they get from their national associations.
“The response from these young athletes was very positive and I see them racing in Cup races a few years from now,” said Turner.
Ley suggested that Filipino coaches take a deeper look at what they want their athletes to achieve, and that specific norms was always be better than general objectives.
Local triathlon coach Rick Reyes, who supported the events together with other coaches of Triathlon Association of the Philippines (Trap), said Ley managed to push the athletes and coaches to learn more.
Mangrobang, who has attended a previous triathlon training camp abroad, said the Subic camp was better.
“Coach Turner is strict but we learned a lot from him,” she said. Romina S. Austria