China rules last event; Para-triathletes steal show
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT–The Chinese celebrated atop the podium after the mixed team relay event but it was the five para-triathletes that were given much attention at the end of the 20th Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) K-Swiss Asian Triathlon Championships.
China, with Japanese men's and women's elite champions Yuichi Hosoda and Mariko Adachi skipping the final event, topped the Mixed Team relay Monday held at Dungaree beach.
The Chinese actually fielded three teams in the mixed relay with the other squad finishing third behind runners-up Japan. But organizers ruled out that one team per country will win in the race giving the bronze medal to Hong Kong, which placed fourth.
China's mixed relay team composed of Dan Fan, Bai Faquan, Huang Yuting and Duan Zhengyu registered a combined time of one hour, 31 minutes and 22 seconds.
Japan–behind the combined exploits of Sumire Ohara, Fumika Matsumoto, Shirubu Taniguchi and Jumpei Furuya–led from the start but wilted under pressure against China's challenge. Team Japan was more than one minute behind the Chinese, 1:32:41.
Hong Kong bets Joyce Cheung Ting Yan, Andrew Wright, Aggie Lee Yuk Ying and Dickson Tam combined for 1:33:41.
But the five para-triathletes stole the show as they too conquered a tough race course set in the backdrop surrounding the hilly parts of Dungaree beach.
The Philippines' Andy Avellana, Arnel Ava and Sixto Ducay, along with South Korean Lee Jun Ha and Malaysia's Mohamed Sabki bin Arifin also completed the 750-meter swim, 18-kilometer bike and 5-k run race course to the thunderous applause and cheers given by the appreciative crowd.
Arifin, who lost his left arm due to a motorcycle accident in 2000, was the fastest in the group at 1:13:25.
Ducay, who was the last swimmer out of the water, was 16 minutes behind Arifin but managed to catch up with the Malaysian in the bike and run segments of the race.
But his efforts still landed him the silver as he crossed the finish line 20 seconds after Arifin, 1:13:45.
Lee was third overall (1:21:34) while Filipino amputees Andy Avellana (1:40:43) and Arnel Ava (1:41:01) complete the list.
Arifin, who encountered difficulty in the bike course's uphill climbs, said he is hoping that people with disabilities would no longer experience discrimination.
"I want to prove not only to all Malaysians that people with disabilities can compete in sporting events like this and needs support," said Arifin.
China, with Japanese men's and women's elite champions Yuichi Hosoda and Mariko Adachi skipping the final event, topped the Mixed Team relay Monday held at Dungaree beach.
The Chinese actually fielded three teams in the mixed relay with the other squad finishing third behind runners-up Japan. But organizers ruled out that one team per country will win in the race giving the bronze medal to Hong Kong, which placed fourth.
China's mixed relay team composed of Dan Fan, Bai Faquan, Huang Yuting and Duan Zhengyu registered a combined time of one hour, 31 minutes and 22 seconds.
Japan–behind the combined exploits of Sumire Ohara, Fumika Matsumoto, Shirubu Taniguchi and Jumpei Furuya–led from the start but wilted under pressure against China's challenge. Team Japan was more than one minute behind the Chinese, 1:32:41.
Hong Kong bets Joyce Cheung Ting Yan, Andrew Wright, Aggie Lee Yuk Ying and Dickson Tam combined for 1:33:41.
But the five para-triathletes stole the show as they too conquered a tough race course set in the backdrop surrounding the hilly parts of Dungaree beach.
The Philippines' Andy Avellana, Arnel Ava and Sixto Ducay, along with South Korean Lee Jun Ha and Malaysia's Mohamed Sabki bin Arifin also completed the 750-meter swim, 18-kilometer bike and 5-k run race course to the thunderous applause and cheers given by the appreciative crowd.
Arifin, who lost his left arm due to a motorcycle accident in 2000, was the fastest in the group at 1:13:25.
Ducay, who was the last swimmer out of the water, was 16 minutes behind Arifin but managed to catch up with the Malaysian in the bike and run segments of the race.
But his efforts still landed him the silver as he crossed the finish line 20 seconds after Arifin, 1:13:45.
Lee was third overall (1:21:34) while Filipino amputees Andy Avellana (1:40:43) and Arnel Ava (1:41:01) complete the list.
Arifin, who encountered difficulty in the bike course's uphill climbs, said he is hoping that people with disabilities would no longer experience discrimination.
"I want to prove not only to all Malaysians that people with disabilities can compete in sporting events like this and needs support," said Arifin.
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