Filipina para-athlete Andrea Estrella achieved a historic milestone as the first blind female competitor to complete the Spartan Trifecta World Championships in Sparta, Greece.
Alongside her coach and guide, Ron Alcantara, Estrella not only conquered the intense three-day event, but also earned a place on the podium with a silver medal in the Female Para category.
The Spartan Trifecta is renowned as one of the world’s most challenging obstacle races, testing participants with three races of increasing distances and obstacles over consecutive days.
Estrella and Alcantara posted a combined time of 10 hours, 29 minutes, and 14 seconds across the event.
They began with the Spartan Sprint, a 5-kilometer course featuring 20 obstacles on the first day, progressed to the 10-kilometer Spartan Super with 25 obstacles on Day 2 and finished with the formidable 21-kilometer Spartan Beast, which presented 30 obstacles including walls, balance beams, monkey bars, and a bucket carry.
“You humbly achieved with determination and grit. Congratulations, Andrea Estrella, for making history as the first blind female to conquer the Trifecta World Championship in Sparta, Greece,” Alcantara posted on Facebook, celebrating her accomplishment.
The gold medal in the Female Para category went to Tamara Jansen from the Netherlands, who completed the three-race event in 7 hours, 53 minutes, and 27 seconds, while American Jo Hammons took the bronze with a time of 15 hours, 48 minutes, and 19 seconds.
Alcantara also expressed gratitude to Atty. Alberto Agra, president of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, for his support in making their participation possible.
Four other Filipino para-athletes delivered commendable performances in the competition.
Calib Sim Jr. finished in 4th place, Renson Embradura ended in 5th, Mark Joseph Casidsid placed 6th, and Kent Tumangan ranked 7th among the 11 male para competitors.
