Cebu Ironkids defend turf against country’s best

CEBU is still relatively new to kids triathlon races. However, in just five races dubbed as SuperTriKids organized by Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, Cebu seems to have already produced promising triathletes who will defend the home turf on Aug. 4 in the 5th leg of the Alaska Ironkids Triathlon at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

According to Rodriguez, Cebuano kids to watch out for are the Chiongbian brothers—Justin, 13, and Yuan, 11.

The two ruled their respective categories in just their first triathlon – the 1st Talisay Triathlon Race last April.

They were also recommended by Philippine triathlon coach Melvin Fausto to the two-week camp in Subic after they took part in the two-day clinic which Fausto conducted at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa also last April.

Justin competes in the 13-14 category while Yuan sees action in the 11-12 class.

In just four months into the sport, Justin placed second in the 2012 Century Tuna SuperTriKids held at the Plantation Bay; 4th in the Ayala Alabang STK Tri; dominated all legs of the Cong. Red Durano Tri Series and placed 10th in his first international race—the ITU SUBIT International Triathlon.

Yuan, on the other hand, is making waves in the 11-12 category placing 1st in all the competitions he had joined in namely the 2012 Century Tuna SuperTriKids at the Plantation Bay; Ayala Alabang STK Tri and all legs of the Cong. Red Durano Tri Series.

Both are also seeing action in the Singapore Triathlon 2012 on Sept. 29.

Other Cebuanos to watch are Mya Torralba (under-7), Nina Villaba (girls 11-12), and brothers Eduard Russel So and Ralph Eduard So. They are among the 30 Cebuano kids seeing action in the Alaska IronKids race. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON