By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Irienold Reig Jr. and Katrina Salazar dominated the sprint elite category in the National Aquathlon Championships Sunday at Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.
Reig, who placed second in the 500-meter swim stage, surged ahead in the 2.5-kilometer run to clinch the men’s crown with a time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds.
Juan Miguel Tayag of Pampanga, followed closely at 17:20 for the silver, while Daniel Cadavos of Bukidnon settled for the bronze in 17:41.
“I’ll keep on training and I hope to win more titles,” Reig said.
He placed third behind Joshua Alexander Ramos and Iñaki Emil Lorbes in the standard elite category of the National Age Group Aquathlon in Cavite last March.
He was also runner-up to Matthew Hermosa in the Sun Life 5150 Bohol triathlon in July.
In the women’s division, Salazar, a fourth-year dentistry student of University of the East, secured the gold in 19:23.
“I’m happy with my performance. This is a training race just to check my condition,” Salazar, coming off the Asian Triathlon Cup in Gamagori, Japan last week, said.
The junior men’s crown went to Darell Johnson Bada, who clocked 16:51. Giro Don Rafael Gito took silver in 17:13, while John Micheal Lalimos finished with the bronze in 17:16.
In the junior women’s category, Anisha Eunice Caluya ruled with a time of 18:53. Dhana Victoria Seda-Lomboy secured silver at 19:57 and Qaantreulle Light Wangkay bagged bronze with a 21:22 finish.
Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto awarded the medals.
“Thank you to Triathlon Philippines for giving us the opportunity. Thank you for partnering with us in the government to make everything possible,” Sotto said. (PNA)
