Cyclist Maximo shines in first triathlon event

ASIDE from being the youngest participant in last weekend’s grueling second Vaseline Men X-Terra Triathlon, 16-year-old multi-titled cyclist Luis Miguel “Iggy” Maximo also made headlines by topping the 15-19 age category in the X-Terra Lite division in Amara, Lilo-an.

It was Maximo’s first ever venture into triathlon, made even more challenging since it was held on Lilo-an’s tough terrain and dangerous trails.

Maximo clocked three hours, two minutes and 14 seconds in finishing first. And even though he is the only participant in his age category, still his time is much faster compared to those submitted by the winners in the other categories and even those of some veteran triathletes.

However, Maximo, who is the youngest member of the Philippine National Cycling Team had to wait for hours before he was finally awarded his medal after the technical team of X-Terra failed to provide the names of the category winners on time.

Maximo and his parents and the other category winners patiently waited  until their names were called.

Maximo is also the Philippine representative to the 2012 Asian Cycling Junior Championships in  Malaysia.  /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL