Ironman champion a vaxxed COVID-19 survivor

CEBU, Philippines — The overall top performer of the Megaworld Ironman 70.3 Philippines by AIA Vitality, August Benedicto, contracted Covid-19 early this year.

Benedicto is thankful that he is already fully vaccinated.

“Nagka-Covid ako nitong January lang pero ok naman ako, buti na lang I am vaccinated," he told to The Freeman.

The battle in Lapu-Lapu via Cordova and Cebu City yesterday was sort of a “comeback” race for Benedicto as he had not been competing in triathlon for over two years now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even if he had to pay for his own fare from Germany to Cebu, as well as his stay in Lapu-Lapu, with the absence of sponsors this time, Benedicto said he decided to join the race to test himself if he can still do it, especially after being infected with Covid-19.

“I love Cebu. Kahit wala akong matirhan dito so nagbook na lang ako ng isang murang hotel… Tapos may nag-offer na umadopt sa akin dun na lang daw ako mag-stay sa hotel nila dito sa venue mismo para mas kumportable ako,” revealed the first Filipino pro triathlete.

Benedicto did more than what he expected as he emerged not only the top performer of his class, the men’s 35 to 39 class, but he came out the fastest among close to two thousand entries.

Aside from winning the overall crown, Benedicto also gained more respect from the rest when he showed heart and what a true champion he is made of.

He looked for an 8-year-old girl identified as Raven Ybanez whom he accidentally hit while running when the latter was trying to cross the street.

“May natamaan akong bata. Hahanapin ko as I want to check on her kung okay lang ba siya. Nakita ko na lang kanina, nauntog talaga sa daan yung bata, pero di ko na rin mahintuan kasi naghahabol ako sa oras pero nangako akong babalikan ko siya,” said Benedicto.

True enough, Benedicto wanted to leave the finish line right away to look for the girl where the incident happened.

"Hindi ako salbahe. Kailangan ko siyang hanapin to personally check on her. May mga anak din ako kaya hindi kaya ng konsensya ko na di siya balikan…I want to apologize for what happened,” said Benedicto, though adding that what he did was unintentional.

The tanods who were also in the area of the incident recognized him right away and accompanied him to the house of the young girl.

Benedicto wanted to talk to the parents, but it was only the girl's sister who was with her at their house.

Indeed the girl’s forehead was swollen a bit, to which Benedicto said he would want to have it checked in the hospital, but the guardian refused to take the offer and said there was no need for it.

Benedicto gave some money and a signed sun visor he used during the race.

It would have been part of his remembrance for his latest victory in Cebu, but he gave it out to the young girl to show his sincerity and concern. — JMD (FREEMAN)