Navo, Villanueva dominate Sun Life aquathlon

MANILA, Philippines —  Richard Anson Navo and Andrea Villanueva dominated the first Sun Life Aquathlon held Sunday at the Makati Aqua Sports Arena and the University of Makati track oval.

Navo, who raced in the 15-17 male age group, finished the aqua full distance – 400m swim and 5K run – in 26 minutes, 6 seconds. Villanueva, racing in the 18-24 age group, took the women’s title in  33:43.

“I relied on my swimming skills and just endured the toughness of the run until I crossed the finish line. I did not even expect to make the Top 3 of my category,” said Navo.

Garnering points for Bike King’s “Athlete of the Year” rankings motivated Villanueva to push harder.

“I kept on training and recently I finished a standard distance triathlon. I focused on this race and did not expect to finish first,” she said.

Placing second was Jonathan Reyes (26:55), who was second overall and second also in the 15-24 category. Third overall was Timo Hoezlchen, who won the 40-44 age group in 29:07.

Tiffany Batilo placed second overall, and first in the 35-39 age group to finish just over a minute shy of Villanueva at 34:45. Roshen Henson also of the 35-39 age group came in third overall (36:18). Other winners were Larissa Aynera (15-17), Cathy Tan (40-44), May Bonalos (50-over).

Other male winners were Neil Pasibe (18-24), Denise Noble and Enchong Dee (25-29), Lou Maghuyop and Riccardo Facchin (30-34), Keith Francis Henson (35-39), Decerel Mendoza and Julius Sin (45-49), Norman Davadilla (50-54), Albert Bartilad (55-59) and Chicho Mantaring (60-over).