CHAMPION. The Philippine mixed relay team members (from left) Matthew Justine Hermosa, Kira Ellis, Triathlon Philippines chair Tom Carrasco, Samantha Corpuz and Dayshaun Ramos. They won the gold medal in the Asia Triathlon Junior Cup Kampar in Perak, Malaysia on Sunday (July 14, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Triathlon Philippines)
MANILA – The Philippines ruled the mixed relay event for its second gold medal in the Asia Triathlon Junior Cup Kampar in Perak, Malaysia on Sunday.
The team of Matthew Justine Hermosa, Kira Ellis, Dayshaun Ramos and Samantha Corpuz finished the 375m swim-5km run-1.5km bike race in 1 hour, 27 minutes and 53 seconds.
Hong Kong, composed of Nok Hei Wong, Petra Stamenovic, Lok Shi Lam and Wan Tung Wong, clocked 1:29:32 to secure the silver medal while South Korea's Sunmin Seo, Sojung Lee, Yongjin Gwon and Gahyeon Seo settled for the bronze medal in 1:30:43.
Ellis, 18, delivered the country's first gold on Saturday when she dominated the junior women sprint distance (750m swim-20km bike-5km run) in 1:05:32.
Corpuz finished fourth (1:08:02) behind silver medalist Seoeun Park of South Korea (1:07:42) and bronze medalist Diana Biktimirova of Uzbekistan (1:07:45).
Ramos of Benguet province placed eighth in the junior men category with a time of 59:41.
Ellis has shown much improvement after attending a five-week training camp under coach Sergio Santos in Portugal.
Last week, she placed 16th among 30 competitors at the tough European Junior Cup in Hungary.
Ellis debuted at the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Games (SEAG) where she won the mixed aquathlon gold medal with Hermosa, Erika Nicole Burgos and Iñaki Lorbes.
Triathlon Philippines believes Ellis is a strong contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics squad.
"I'm elated. Our younger triathletes are showing great improvements. Confidence is high. I am optimistic," association chairman Tom Carrasco, who is also in Malaysia as Asia Triathlon senior vice president, said.
The Philippines leads the SEAG all-time medal tally in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, with 35 medals -- 15 golds, 12 silvers and 8 bronzes.
Indonesia ranks second with 15 (2-4-9), followed by Thailand 8 (2-4-2), Malaysia 6 (2-3-1), Singapore 9 (2-2-5), Vietnam 5 (2-1-2) and Cambodia 3 (2-1-0). (PNA)
