Mactan Island, Cebu—Size doesn’t always matter.
Matthew Justine Hermosa proved that height is not everything as he outsprinted a strong field of participants —most of whom were a year older and some six inches taller than he was—to win the Alaska Fortified IRONKIDS held at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa last weekend.
Talisay City’s Hermosa was third out of the water, tallied the second fastest time in the bike but blitzed the field with a blazing run to win the boys 13 to 14 category convincingly.
“The swim was really the difficult part. The waves were huge and I had a hard time swimming. I just waited for the right moment. I did my move in the run portion when I felt Eryk (John Omandam) was already tired,” Hermosa said.
Hermosa timed 35 minutes, 8.33 seconds. Belonquil (35:43.04) and Omandam (36:02.78) followed. Belonguil beat Hermosa in the Aquathlon (swim-run) event in Davao last March.
This is Hermosa’s third title in the IRONKIDs since he started joining the race in 2015 but his first race in this age group beating kids many of whom were a year older.
Hermosa, a member of the Talisay City Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG)/Go For Gold said there are no short cuts to winning which he managed only through hard work.
“Nag-ensayo lang po ako. Nagdisiplina. Sobrang disiplina ako. Alaska IRONKIDS is a super fun experience. It’s a fun way to learn new things and make new friends,” Hermosa said.
Hermosa added that what he liked best about triathlon racing is being with his teammates and friends just before the race as they come together and get ready.
“The best part for me is when you prepare for the start together with all your teammates. This is the part where you support each other. Where everybody is there for each other,” said Hermosa a Grade 8 student of Paref Springdale.
Hermosa is the cousin of the country’s top triathlon athlete Andrew Kim Remolino also of Talisay City who will represent the Philippines in the coming Southeast Asia Games.
Meanwhile, Hermosa’s teammate in the (TLTG)/Go For Gold, Moira Frances Erediano ruled the girls 13 to 14 category.
Team TLTG/Go For Gold also swept all three spots in the podium in the mixed 11 to 14 years old category. The first team for TLTG finished in 20:47, the second timed 21:03 while the third finished in 21:05.