From 10th to first in just a year
TAGUM City—Failure is temporary and with hard work and dedication, it can be turned around. This is what Karen Andrea Manayon of Cebu Province showed. After failing last year, she came back stronger and walked away with a championship trophy in the girls’ 13 to 15 triathlon event of the Batang Pinoy national finals at the DavNor Sports and Tourism Complex yesterday.
The 14-year-old Manayon of Talisay City Science High School improved on her 10th place finish in Cebu last year by clocking 40 minutes and 16 seconds to nab the top honors in the 200-meter swim, 12-kilometer bike and 3K run race.
Manayon beat formidable Everly Janirie Macalalad and dethroned three-time champion Nicole Danielle Eijansantos. Macalalad of Muntinlupa City finished second with a time of 40:20, while Eijansantos of Quezon City completed the course in 40:49.
Manayon, who started out as a swimmer, was six seconds behind Macalalad after the swim portion with 6:16; she was neck-and-neck with Eijasantos and Macalalad after the bike segment. The Talisay City native figured things out in the run part with less than a kilometer left in the race.
“I started to lead and got a breakaway with about 500 meters left in the run portion. I was overwhelmed and happy when I won because I never thought I’ll become the champion,” said the Grade 8 student. “I have to train a lot and sacrifice some things for me to improve my performance. I’m glad I was able to perform on race day. I had to train every day in swimming, running and biking.”
The win, however, had some issues from the technical officials as they were about to disqualify Manayon for failing to put her swim goggles and swim cap in the basket in the transition area.
Roland Remolino, Cebu Province’s triathlon coach, questioned the officials about the disqualification. It was decided that Manayon will not be disqualified but will be given a 20-second penalty that was added to her final time.
It was also found out that Macalalad also had a violation and was given 10 seconds additional time. With the penalties given, Manayon still had the fastest time and was awarded as champion in her category.
“Ni reklamo gyud ko kay kabalo mi dili sakto na DQ mi. Dili gyud ko gusto matikasan kay di sad ko manikas. Ako mangayo kug pasensiya sa mga technical officials sa ako action kay ako ra gyud gusto ko na mogawas unsa ang sakto,” said Remolino, who was livid after learning about the DQ.
Multi-medalists
Manayon also won two bronze medals in the criterium cycling event last Sunday. She will be joining the duathlon event today and the road race cycling tomorrow.
Moira Frances Gabrielle Erediano, also from Cebu Province, was the first double-gold medalist from Cebu this year after ruling the girl’s 11 to 12 triathlon event. Erediano, 12, of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) also won the gold medal in the criterium cycling event last Sunday.
Erediano completed the 400m swim, 6K bike and 1.5K run in 24:19. Erediano was the third to come out of the water with 3:34. She joined the lead pack after completing the bike segment in 13:21 and dominated the run with a time of 7:14 to win the race.
It was the first time for Erediano to join the Batang Pinoy National Championships and she was overwhelmed with two gold medals in two events. She will be suiting up in the duathlon event today.