CLOSE to 200 elite triathletes from 20 countries vie for honors in the 2018 NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon set at ACEA Subic Bay in Subic Bay Freeport this weekend.
Seen to give the Japanese trio of Ryousuke Maeda, Shogo Ishitsuka and Ren Sato strong opposition are Australia’s Nicholas Free, Hong Kong’s Wong Hui Wai and Korea’s Kim Ji Hwan in the Elite Men’s competition.
Two-time SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas banners the local challenge. Backstopping him are his Philippine teammates Jonard Saim, John Chicano, Paul Jumamil, Jorry Ycong and Banjo Norte.
In the distaff side, Macau’s Hoi Long, Japan’s Yurina Kawasaki, Hong Kong’s Choi Yan Yin Hilda and Japan’s Hideko Kikuchi are expected to slug it out for supremacy.
The Philippine squad of 2017 SEA Games gold medalist Kim Mangrobang, 2015 SEA Games gold medalist Claire Adorna and Kim Kilgroe are not counted out of springing a surprise.
Among the 800 triathletes entered, five are Under-23 male participants, 24 are Elite Junior men, 13 are Elite Junior women and several Youth Olympic Games aspirants.
Philippine Sports Commission, along with Philippine Olympic Committee, Arena, New Balance, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Omega Pain Killer Liniment, Standard Insurance, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Subic Holiday Villas, Travelers Hotel, ACEA, Asian Center for Insulation and Solar Sports, stand as sponsors.
ITU qualifying points for Asian and world rankings as well as to major international events up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics await the top finishers in the 1.5 Kilometer swim/40Km bike/10Km run event.
Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, SUBIT is supervised by the International Triathlon Union and the Asian Triathlon Confederation.
SUBIT, the longest-running triathlon in the country, marks its 25th edition this year. For inquiries, visit Triathlon.org.ph or contact 0917-5776070, 0921-9954764 or 0915-6394233.