Mier, Surban top awardees in cycling

SOUTHEAST Asian Games cycling medalists John Mier and Niño Surban are set to receive major awards during the 30th annual Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC)-SMC Cebu Sports Awards this March 3 at Ayala Center Cebu’s The Terraces.

In the 26th Sea Games last year in Palembang and Jakarta in Indonesia, the 19-year-old Mier, a rookie in the Philippine Cycling Team, dominated the 30-kilometer points race to win the gold medal.

It was the second gold for the Philippines in cycling after Alfie Catalan topped the 4,000m individual pursuit race.

Surban, on the other hand, finished with a bronze medal in the men’s cross-country mountain bike competition.

Chess major awardee

Also set to receive a major award is Grand Master Richard Bitoon.

Bitton became the country’s 16th GM in chess after gaining his third and final norm at the DYTM Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Invitational Masters Chess tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Sept. 9, 2011.

Meanwhile, the youngest member of the Philippine under-23 and junior team, 16-year-old Luis “Iggy” Maximo, will be receiving a special citation for his efforts last year.

He bagged a spot in the National Team after putting up an impressive performance in the National Junior Trials of PhilCycling, a UCI-recognized National Sports Association of cycling in the country.

Also receiving special citations are Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) and International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap.

CEPCA is one of the reasons behind Cebu’s successful attempt to break the world’s biggest chess tournament.

Yap appeared in different local and international chess tournaments and his dominance in some of theam made him one of the best local wood pushers. /POOLED REPORT