Asian body gives TRAP high mark in triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - The Triathlon Association of the Philippines has joined the short list of national federations described as “developed” by the Asian Triathlon Confederation in its 2014 evaluation of the 35 NFS of Asia.

The TRAP is now a “developed triathlon nation” along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore in terms of the qualification of technical officials.

 Two of the only seven Asians certified by the International Triathlon Union as Level 3 technical officials, qualified to officiate in the highest levels of competition – Olympics, world triathlon series and World Cup – are Filipinos.

TRAP was also conferred “developed” status along with five other NFS with regard to coaches development based on the count of ITU-certified mentors.

In athletes development, TRAP stands in the upper half (from sixth to 15th). Criteria for this area are athletes’ performance and production of Olympians. The rest, from 16th down, are dubbed as “emerging”.

Only four NFS – China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea – were included in the elite circle of NFS notching “developed status” in all development categories considered.

“Our investments are reaping dividends. Our goal for 2015 is for Phl to be accorded developed status in all three areas. We are happy to have the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and POC,” said TRAP president and Philippine Olympic Committee president Tom Carrasco.

Highlighting the showing of Filipino athletes under TRAP was the bronze-medal finish of Robeno Javier in the Phuket Asian Beach Games.

In the Incheon Asian Games, two entries in each division broke the Philippine records. Jonard Saim (1:59:00) and Nikko Huelgas (1:59:17), 10th and 11th respectively, surpassed the men’s Phl standard of 1:59:44 while Ma. Claire Adorna (2:09:05, seventh) and Marion Kim Mangrobang (ninth) eclipsed the women’s mark of 2:13:25.

Adorna also claimed the bronze medal in the Taipei international marathon.

The national triathletes finished sixth and seventh in the mixed relay of the Asian Games and Asian Beach Games, respectively.