German golden girl completes sweep

MANILA, Philippines – Germany’s Sofia Wiedenroth unleashed her power in the hills and downhills of a highly technical course and showed her staying power as temperatures soared – on the first day of the country’s cruel summer – to rule the women’s cross country Olympic event of the World University Cycling Championships yesterday in Silang, Cavite.

With both arms raised, her eyes smiling and the local crowd cheering, the German finished the five-lap, 5.3 km race at the Ultimate Mountain Bike Park in one hour, 16 minutes, 43.14 seconds to claim another gorgeous victory, completing a rare sweep of the important events of the world student competition after her compelling wins in the women’s road race and cross country eliminator events.

Aleksandra Podgorska took the silver, over two minutes behind the winner, with the bronze going to Poland’s Marta Turobos, who edged Japan’s Seika Ainota.

It was an all-Poland show in the men’s event where compatriots Piotr Kurczab and Marcin Kawalec fought wheel to wheel from the start before Kurczab, with a burst of speed, edged the latter in the final  sprint, winning by the slimmest of margins.

Kurczab was barely .01 of a second ahead in the finish line with his clocking of 1:31:20.60 against the 1:31:20.61 of Marcin.

Louis Wolf of Germany took the bronze.

Filipino cyclist Edminel John Flores was too far behind to contend for a medal but earned the distinction of being one of only seven riders to finish the race.

“It was a virtual clinic on science-enhanced riding efficiency”, said assistant program director Anthony Go, who expressed his awe over Wiedenroth’s skill and precision in conquering obstacles and negotiating treacherous corners at high speed.

Filipina bet Angelica Yvonne Limjoco just could not match the stunning firepower of the leaders, but she gave it her best shot until cramps forced her to drop out with just one lap to go.

Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (FESSAP) president David Ong expressed interest in hosting another WUCC event, an idea welcomed by the events major sponsors, among them the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc (FFCCCII), Healthy Options, Air 21, the Medical City and Chinatown TV.