PH triathletes begin trek to 2020 Tokyo Olympics

No Filipino has ever made it to the triathlon event of the Olympics since the sport’s debut in Sydney 2000. The 2020 Tokyo Summer Games may just be the Philippines’ perfect time to accomplish that.

National team coach Ani de Leon-Brown says the country is banking on Kim Mangrobang and Ma. Claire Adorna, gold and silver medalist, respectively, in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, to clinch Tokyo slots.

Only the world’s top 55 male and top 55 female triathletes, but limited to a total of three per country, will qualify for the Olympics. Countries usually send two or three men to the competition, leaving more room for Mangrobang and Adorna to earn berths, according to De Leon-Brown.

“Usually, only Great Britain, Australia and the United States send three females,” says De Leon-Brown, the first Filipino woman to compete in an Ironman World Championship. “I really feel good about the girls’ chances.”

Author: Romina S. Austria, Inquirer
Full Article: http://sports.inquirer.net/264522/ph-triathletes-begin-trek-2020-tokyo-olympics