FASTEST. Joshua Alexander Ramos (silver), Andrew Kim Remolino (gold) and Matthew Justine Hermosa (bronze) (from left) are top finishers in the National Age Group Aquathlon 2024 men's elite held at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite on Sunday (Sept. 29, 2024). It is part of the country's preparations for the 2025 Thailand Southeast Asian Games. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – Andrew Kim Remolino lived up to expectations and defended the men's elite title in the National Age Group Aquathlon 2024 at Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite on Sunday.
Remolino, a native of Talisay City in Cebu province, finished the 500-meter swim and 2.5-kilometer run event in 15 minutes and 12 seconds.
Joshua Alexander Ramos of Baguio Benguet Triathlon secured the silver medal in 15:27 while Matthew Justine Hermosa, another Cebuano, settled for the bronze medal in 15:39.
"I'm so happy because we have been preparing for this tournament for months. We had back-to-back races the past weeks. We're glad that we were able to deliver a good performance here," the 23-year-old Remolino, a silver medalist in aquathlon at the 2023 Cambodia Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), said.
In the women's division, 22-year-old Erika Nicole Burgos of Tanauan City, Batangas registered a personal-best 17:28 to claim the gold medal in the tournament organized by the Triathlon Philippines.
Raven Faith Alcoseba, also from Cebu, placed second in 17:52, while Katrina Salazar was third in 18:01.
"I didn't expect today's results and I just have to keep working for the next race," Burgos, a senior sports science student from University of the Philippines, said.
She was part of the winning mixed team, also in the Cambodia SEAG, with Hermosa, Iñaki Emil Lorbes and Kira Ellis.
Meanwhile, Singaporean Cheng Yu Lim topped the men's junior elite category in 15:19. Filipinos Dayshaun Ramos (15:52) and Juan Miguel Tayag (16:40) were second and third, respectively.
Dhana Victoria Seda-Lomboy clocked 19:26 to bag the gold medal in the women's division. Candace Marie Socito (20:49) took the silver and Edellaine Mae Diggs (21:30) got the bronze.
In the men's division of the Youth (13-15 yearS) category, Peter Sancho Del Rosario pocketed the gold medal in 13:45.
Diego Jose Dimayuga (14:05) captured the silver medal and Euan Arrow Ramos (14:17) grabbed the bronze medal.
The top three finishers in the women's division were Thailand's Pitchanart Sripipom (16:08), Filipino Christy Ann Perez (16:26) and Singaporean Nur Isabella Schiering (16:44).
The National Age Group Aquathlon 2024 is part of the country's preparations for next year's Thailand SEAG where nine gold medals are at stake. (PNA)
