Asian Games: Philippine triathlon team sets modest expectations

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Asian Games: Philippine triathlon team sets modest expectations

ABS-CBN News

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Kim Mangrobang and Nikko Huelgas are the best in Southeast Asian triathlon, but they'll be up against stiff competition in the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia, over the weekend. File/PSC media pool

PALEMBANG, Indonesia—Although virtually unbeatable in Southeast Asia, Nikko Huelgas and Kim Mangrobang are aware they will be going up against the continent’s big guns in the 2018 Asian Games triathlon competitions over the weekend.

Reigning Southeast Asian Games women’s triathlon champion Mangrobang and vastly improved US-based Filipina Kim Kilgroe take first crack in the competition that starts at 8:30 a.m. (Manila time) in the vicinity of the Jakabaring Sport City complex here.

“With her present from, a top 5 finish would not be farfetched for Kim, and if she steps up, I woudn’t be surprised of a podium finish,” said coach Annie de Leon-Brown of the Europe-trained Mangrobang, who placed ninth in the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea.

While defending Japanese champion Ai Ueda is not around, compatriot Yuka Sato, ranked No. 20 in the International Triathlon world ratings, looms as the favorite in the women’s division, Brown said.

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Huelgas, a two-time SEA Games goild medalist, and John Chicano, the 2017 Malaysian SEA Games medalist, will see action in the men’s competition on Saturday.

“If either Nikko or John finish in the top 10, we would be happy,” Brown said.

In the mixed relay on Sunday, Huelgas and Mangrobang will be joined by Claire Adorna, the 2017 Singapore SEAG gold medalist, and Mark Hosana, Brown added.

“Claire and Mark were chosen (to be part of the team) because they were really meant for the mixed relay, which promises to be an exciting race,” Brown stressed.

While she had no complaints about the swim leg at the JSC man-made lake, the coach was a bit worried about the bike course “because we saw there were still grains of sand on the road during practice. This could result in accidents once the triathletes race around the route, which is a bit technical (hard).”

Brown said they were assured by Asian Games organizers that they would clear the road of sand to make it safe and secure for the riders.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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