Junior triathletes gear up for Youth Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — After completing a golden double in the Southeast Asian Games, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines is gearing up its top bets for a spirited bid at making it to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

According to TRAP secretary general Tom Carrasco, they are arranging a series of training camps both locally and abroad for candidates Nicole Eijansantos, Lauren Plaza, Karen Manayon, Wacky Baniqued, Josh Ramos and Inaki Lorbes ahead of the Asian Continental Qualifiers for the YOG that the country is hosting in June next year.

“We’re looking at a local camp for them in October then during the Christmas break, training in Johor Bahru for two to three weeks with local coaches Anthony Lozada and Kevin Eijansantos. Then 30-45 days before the Qualifiers, the plan is to send them to DESMOR (High Performance Training Camp in) Portugal,” said Carrasco.

The Pinoy triathletes will try to make the most out of their home advantage in the 750K swim, 20K bike, 5K run Continental Qualifying Race to land in the podium and qualify for Buenos Aires.

Carrasco said 40 countries are expected in the Qualifiers, which TRAP is considering to hold either in triathlon hotbed Subic or picturesque Legazpi in Bicol.

Four years ago in Nanjing, Vicky Deldio was the lone triathlete in the seven-man Philippine delegation.

Deldio wound up 32nd overall with a clocking of 1:14:07 in the race won by Australian Brittany Dutton in 59 minutes, 56 seconds.