Go For Gold triathlete John Leerams Chicano also has the knack for duathlon following an impressive output in the Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships held recently in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Chicano reached the podium of the world’s largest duathlon race after returning on the same punishing course where he won silver medal in men’s triathlon during the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
“Overall, it was a good race for me. This is a great buildup for the SEA Games late this year,’’ said Chicano, who finished third overall in the men’s elite category with a clocking of two hours, 43 minutes and 25 seconds.
Frenchman Antony Costes ruled the 10-kilometer run, 60km cycling and 10km run event in 2:41.23 and Thomas Bruins of the Netherlands checked in second overall at 2:42.04.
“To stand on the medal podium in an international race with some of the toughest and seasoned duathletes is something that our country should really be proud of,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
Apart from triathlon, Go For Gold is also a staunch supporter of national athletes from cycling, sepak takraw, skateboarding, wrestling and skateboarding aside from its basketball teams in the PBA D-League and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Go for Gold has likewise partnered with the National Basketball Training Center on the latter’s Coaches Convention, where the best coaches in the country are expected to show up during the two-day clinic on March 22-24 at the SM Mall of Asia.
Chicano’s preparation for the SEA Games in Subic has been impressive so far after kicking it off with a victory in the prestigious Tri-Factor International Triathlon in Quzhou, China three months ago.
With the win in Powerman Asia, Chicano has secured the top ranking in the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) class and again positioned himself as the toughest challenger to reigning SEAG gold medalist Nikko Huelgas.
Huelgas, whose local and overseas campaigns are also backed by Go For Gold, is seeking a third straight title in the SEA Games.