JAPANESE athletes stamped their class in dominant fashion at the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu at Mactan Newtown in Cebu last Sunday, sweeping multiple age group titles and clinching both overall championships in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Local standouts Kristiane Lim and Khimberly Paquibot ensured the Filipino flag remained proudly represented in the event, presented by Megaworld and Mactan Newtown, even as Australian Josh Ferris and New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson captured the spotlight by winning the premier pro division titles – cheered on by a lively crowd that included enthusiastic schoolchildren.
Ryosuke Ohata spearheaded Japan’s charge with a superb all-around performance, outdueling compatriot Yuki Umeda in a thrilling all-Japanese showdown in the premier endurance race organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. After splitting the top positions in the swim and bike legs of the grueling 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run race, Ohata unleashed a blistering 1:28:08 run split to seize the overall age-group title in an impressive 4:26:30.
Umeda, who led out of the swim but faded slightly on the bike, clocked 1:36:06 in the run and settled for second overall. Local standout Mervin Santiago completed the podium in 4:34:59.
Ohata’s victory wasn’t just overall – he also bagged the 40-44 age group crown, again edging Umeda, with Markus Goldinger taking third in 4:39:24. It marked a strong rebound for Ohata, who only finished fifth in the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa earlier this year.
Not to be outdone, Mayo Onishi completed a “double-double” for Japan, ruling both the women’s overall and the 35–39 age group. Onishi fashioned out a wire-to-wire win, emerging first from the water in 27:27, dominating the bike leg in 2:38:37, and sealing the victory with a steady 1:28:39 run.
Her final time of 4:41:48 was a full 14 minutes ahead of second-placer and fellow Japanese Kimiko Uji (4:55:22). Hungary’s Krisztina Vaczi rounded out the women’s podium in 5:07:55.
The Japanese contingent’s dominance extended across age groups as Kimiko Uji claimed the women’s 40–44 title, narrowly edging out Vaczi; Kazuhiro Oishi ruled the men’s 25–29 division in 4:38:07; Koji Muroya topped the men’s 60–64 class (5:35:31); Masao Kikuoka clinched the 70–74 title in 6:45:25; Kazutoshi Miyokawa raced unopposed in the 75–79 category, finishing in 8:25:37; Junko Nakamura won the women’s 45–49 title (5:53:12); Yuki Toyokawa triumphed in the 50–54 class (5:19:28); and Yasuyo Kikuoka captured the 60–64 crown (8:12:03).
Despite the Japanese onslaught, Cebuano triathlete Kristiane Lim made the hometown crowd proud, ruling the men’s 35–39 category in a strong 4:44:14 finish. Lim, a familiar face in the local triathlon scene, showcased his consistency and experience to beat a competitive field.
Meanwhile, Khimberly Paquibot of Lapu-Lapu City added a bright spot for the local women’s contingent, topping the women’s 25–29 division in 5:32:16. Her win brought hometown flavor and energy to the international race, earning cheers from local supporters.
In other age-group results, Santiago topped the 30–34 men’s division (4:34:59), besting Puerto Princesa champion John Dedeus Alcala (4:52:59) and Jemuel Clemente (4:55:45); Dutch Rik Beugel won the 18–24 category in 4:36:59; Arthur Abogado ruled the 45–49 class (4:56:52); Eric van der Linden, also of the Netherlands, took the 50–54 title (4:54:50); Hajime Sato led the 55–59 group (4:58:43); Graeme Alford won the men’s 65–69 class (5:45:36); Renee Anderson ruled the women’s 30–34 group (5:21:20); Michelle Boyes topped the women’s 55–59 (5:31:39); and Mary Mitchell claimed the 65–69 title (6:08:38).
