China, Japan junior triathletes sweep events in Subic race

Chinese and Japanese female triathletes completed a sweep of the senior and junior elite categories in the 2010 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Subic Bay International Triathlon-Asia Cup at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Wang Yi gave a glimpse of what the competition will be like in this year’s Guangzhou Asian Games when she led a 1-2-3 finish for the Chinese Red Army.

The 23-year-old Wang, one of four triathletes being eyed to carry the fight for the hosts in the 2010 Asiad, tamed the hilly route in the bike leg to conquer the Olympic distance race in two hours, 11 minutes and 49 seconds.

The ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon-Asia Cup is composed of a 1.5 kilometer swim, 40k bike and 10k run.

Forty seconds behind was compatriot Fan Dan (2:12:29) while Zhang Yi completed the Chinese sweep (2:17:46).

“We really expected (Wang) to win this race because we studied the quality of opponents using the ITU rankings and we knew she can dominate the race," said China Triathlon Sports Association deputy secretary-general Chen Xiaoran.

Chen said the performance of the Chinese triathletes makes him confident that they can win the gold in the 2010 Asiad. “Japan will be the tough opponent but we will give them a good fight."

Lea Coline Langit, the Philippines top bet, failed to keep pace with her Chinese rivals and settled for fourth (2:19:11). It was the best showing finish by a Filipina triathlete since the event started 18 years ago.

“It was hard racing alone against two Chinese rivals. I gave my best but it was not enough. But this event serves as part of my preparation for the Asian Games and I hope to bounce back in November," said the 23-year old Langit, who just recovered from dengue and also endured a hurting right foot that kept her away from running for three weeks.

Another Chinese triathlete in the person of Liu Ting ruled the Under 23 elite (2:12:38).

Japan triathletes also made their mark in the girls’ Junior elite category with 18-year-old Yuka Sato leading the sweep.

Sato took the gold (1:06:13) while teammates Yuko Takahasi (1:07:22) and Nao Yamamoto (1:07:22) settled for the silver and bronze medals.

Kohei Tsubaki topped the male junior sprint (59:46) beating China’s Ke Jun Shi (1:00:00) and Korea’s Lee Ji Hong of Korea (1:00:04).

The Philippines was represented by Kim Mangrobang in the female junior elite while Nikko Huelgas, Philip Jurolan and John Chicano carried the fight for the RP bets in the male division.

Mangrobang placed eight overall (1:13:01) while Huelgas emerged top male Filipino bet at 20th place (1:06:38). – GMANews.TV