FILIPINO veteran triathlete John Leerams Chicano is steadily regaining peak form as he pursues a coveted slot in the World Games.
Showing steady improvement, the former Southeast Asian Games’ champion claimed back-to-back podium finishes in Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old triathlete from Olongapo dominated the Jeddah Tribe Sprint Triathlon, clocking 1 hour, 1 minute, and 3 seconds (01:01:03) to claim the top spot.
He held off a strong challenge from Egypt’s Seifeldeen Ismail, who finished 31 seconds behind (01:01:34), while Lebanese contender Ali Alzoobie secured third place with a time of 1:02:03.
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Just six days earlier, Chicano showcased his endurance and consistency by earning a silver medal in the male sprint distance individual event at the Al Jubail Triathlon.
He finished in 1:02:53, trailing Saudi hometown favorite Rayan Al Khuwaiter (1:00:55). Egypt’s Abdelrahman Yasser Farag rounded out the podium in 1:03:51.
He now sets his sights on the Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Manama, Bahrain, next month—a crucial qualifier for the World Games in Chengdu, China, this August.
Chicano hopes to join early World Games qualifiers — the Philippine Dragon Boat team, Paris Olympian and kickboxer Hergie Bacyadan, billiard champions Rubilen Amit, Chezka Centeno and Jeff De Luna, wushu specialists Agatha Wong, Carlos Baylon Jr. and Thornton Sayan, powerlifter Regie Ramrez, and wakeboarder Raph Trinidad.