Sugbu team to vie in Camsur triathlon

More than 50 triathlete members of the Sugbu Triathlon will be competing in the 3rd edition of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Camsur this Aug. 14.

This was revealed by Sugbu Triathlon president Ralph Arche, who will also be competing alongside 2009 Camsur Filipino elite champion Noy Jopson.

The Camsur Ironman has just become more prestigious after it was made a qualifying to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on Oct. 8. 30 slots have been awarded to the Camsur Ironman after the Ironman China was cancelled.

Jopson is optimistic about the chances of Filipinos to qualify for the World Championship but expressed sadness that it would be a stiff battle among the women.

He said that top finishers in each of the 18 age groups in the male category might be able to get slots.

Despite the entry of the world’s top female triathletes, top Cebuano female triathlete Lorhiz Echavez, who will be competing in the age-group category, remains optimistic of her chances to get a slot to the world championships.

Jopson’s wife Amale will also be competing in the relays alongside Matteo Guidicelli and Mendel Lopez, among others.

According to Jopson, he hopes this won’t be the last time that Camsur will be awarded slots for the world championships.

Many world class triathletes will be returning to compete in Camsur with the men’s field to be led by defending champion Pete Jacobs, Cameron Brown, Luke Gilmer, Justin Granger, Erich Felbabel, Jesse Thomas and Dan Brown.

The female professionals include Amanda Stevens, Belinda Granger, Katya Meyers and Bree Wee.