By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Joshua Alexander Ramos delivered a fine performance to claim victory in the Standard Men Elite of the National Age Group Aquathlon 2025 at the Ayala-Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite on Saturday.
The 23-year-old member of the Baguio Benguet Triathlon club clocked 31 minutes and 19 seconds in the 1km-swim and 5km-run competition.
“I joined this tournament to test my fitness and I’m glad I won,” said Ramos, a second-year marketing management student at the University of Baguio.
Last year, he was runner-up to Cebuano Kim Andrew Remolino in the race that only covered 500 meters (swim) and 2.5 km. (run).
Remolino and Matthew Hermosa did not join due to a Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) regional qualifying.
“Even if they are not here, I can say that I gave my best,” said Ramos, who won four medals in swimming – two golds (400m and 1500 freestyle), one silver (4x200m freestyle), and one bronze (4×100 freestyle) at the 2024 PRISAA National Games in Legazpi City, Albay.
Iñaki Emil Lorbes registered 31:28 to finish second despite nursing a right ankle injury he sustained two weeks ago in training. Irienold Reig Jr. (32:12) was third.
Meanwhile, Erika Nicole Burgos defended the women’s title, clocking 34 minutes and 17 seconds to prevail over Wan Ting of Singapore (35:01) and Lady Samantha Jhunace Corpuz (35:50).
“The course is difficult, it’s exhausting,” said Burgos of Tanauan, Batangas.
She will join the National Age Group Duathlon on Sunday.
“I’ll do my best to win (in the National),” said Burgos, who won the gold medal in the 2023 Asian Duathlon Championships at the New Clark City Sports Complex.
In the Junior Elite category, Joshua’s younger brother, Dayshaun Karl, topped the men’s division in 16:37.
Darell Johnson Bada (16:40) ranked second followed by Peter Sancho Del Rosario (16:44).
Dhana Victoria Seda-Lomboy clocked 18:45 to win the women’s title over Maria Celinda Raagas (21:42).
Edison Badillo (PTS2), Raul Angoluan (PTS3), Alex Silverio (PTS4), and Joshua Nelmida with guide Bernard Matthew Cruz (PTVI) won their respective divisions in the para category of the event organized by the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) headed by Tom Carrasco.
Meanwhile, the race distances in the National Age Group Duathlon are Elite, Junior Elite and Para (5km-run, 20km-bike, 2.5km-run); U15 (3km-10km-1.5km); 11-12 years old (2km-8km-1km); 9-10 years old (1km-6km-500m); 7-8 years old (800m-2km-400m); and 6 years old and under (400m-1km-200m).
The aquathlon and duathlon tournaments, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Milo, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade, Fitbar, and RaceYa, are part of TriPhil’s grassroots and talent identification program. (PNA)
