THE Philippine Paratriathlon Committee (PPTC) announced the formation of the national paratriathlon training team, initially composed of three athletes but with slots still open for prospective paratriathletes.
The athletes are the Nelmida twins, Jerome and Joshua, 17, both visually impaired paratriathletes, and Cebuano Alex Silverio, who lost his left arm in an accident years ago.
The Nelmidas have completed various aquathlon and triathlon races the past years including the ASTC Asian Paratriathlon Championship in 2015 and 2017 held in Subic. Silverio, who is aiming to be the first Filipino paratriathlete to qualify to the Paralympics in 2020, is Cebu’s very first certified triathlon finisher and enjoys strong support from the Cebuano triathlon community including Parklane International Hotel.
The coaching staff is headed by Anthony Lozada certified Level 2 coach under both the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Swimming Coaches Association. PJ Rivera is assistant coach. Cebu-based Bobby Martinez was named as regional trainer-handler.
“We are looking at the Asain Paratriathlon Championship set this August in Legaspi, Albay as our centerpiece event that will also serve as a qualifying event for the national team. We are working on the inclusion of paratriathlon in the 2019 ASEAN ParaGames. We are coordinating with the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Air Force as possible sources of prospective paratriahletes,” said PPTC Chairman Lito Cinco adding that paratriathlon events will also be included in National Age Group Triathlon legs.
TRAP President Tom Carrasco emphasized the criteria for qualifying to the national team.
“We will look at younger athletes with the needed determination, attitude, and commitment to the sport. We have seen this in the Nelmida twins while Silverio has been doing well in the races he has joined. TRAP will work with his support team based in Cebu. We have requested PSC for the initial funds to cover the training uniforms, and equipment for the national paratriathlon training team. At the same time that we will be sending a Filipino official for a classifiers’ course under ITU in the future,” said Carrasco.