Unique medal design for Cebu Ironman bared

WORLD-RENOWNED Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue unveiled yesterday the unique finisher’s medal for tomorrow’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

The one-of-a-kind commemorative piece veers away from the traditional flat medal design. It is made of three pearl-colored rings with each loop carrying miniature figures representing the three sporting events of the Ironman.

“I looked at all the medals and they all look the same,” said Cobonpue during a press conference at The Marquee of the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resport and Spa. “So the challenge for me was to do a unique design that doesn’t need a lot of explanation.”

According to Cobonpue, the pearl color of the rings represents Cebu being the pearl of the Philippines and the world.

“I want to show the Cebuano creativity to the world and I hope people like it,” he said.

Organizers picked Cobonpue to design the medal to match the caliber of the professional triathletes.

Cobonpue said it took him two weeks to come up with the design. Upon finishing the medal, he said he has finished his own race.

“By completing this medal, I have completed my race. I hope my effort is worth yours,” he said, referring to the athletes participating in this international event.

The upcoming Ironman event is considered the grandest sporting event in Cebu this year. It will be participated by around 1,700 triathletes from 31 countries.

Meanwhile, a framed commemorative finisher’s medal was given to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation Wilfred Uytengsu from Cobonpue. /senior reporter Marian Z. Codilla