Haroon Cali made the Philippines proud by emerging as the top podium finisher in the men’s 30-39 division title at the Ultraoceanman 25 km event held recently, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
The veteran Filipino swimming coach, based in Davao City, also finished an impressive fifth overall in the men’s individual category, trailing behind top finishers Rachapov Rishat of Kazakhstan (5:33:32.50, men’s 20-29), Volpi Laura of Italy (5:49:44.65, women’s 50-59), Amar Alain of France (6:08:28.83, men’s 40-49), and Adilkhanov Madi of Kazakhstan (6:34:15.84, men’s 20-29).
“I didn’t expect to compete because my visa arrived late, but I’m thrilled to have earned a place for the Philippines. It was tough, being an international competition,” Cali shared after his victory.
Exhausted but elated, he mentioned plans to enjoy Italy’s cities and looked forward to visiting the Rome Vatican.
This year marked Palermo’s second consecutive time hosting the prestigious ULTRAOCEANMAN Italy, an international open-water swimming event that attracted athletes from around the globe.
The competition took place at two of Sicily’s most scenic locations, with the 25 km ULTRAOCEANMAN race starting from the Marina di Costa Rossa port in Pozzillo.
The route, which tested both endurance and stamina, led participants through some of Sicily’s stunning coastal landscapes, finishing at the picturesque L’Ombelico del Mondo beach in Mondello.
A total of 33 athletes took part in this challenging race, showcasing their endurance in the waters of Sicily. Cali’s strong performance earned him well-deserved recognition, marking another achievement for the Philippines on the global swimming stage.
In a particularly inspiring moment during the event, two Paralympic athletes, Giacomo Di Santo and Enrico Giacomin, completed the race as a relay team.
They became the first Paralympic athletes to participate in the grueling Ultraoceanman event, adding a special highlight to this year’s competition.
