SUBIC, Zambales - Juan Francisco Baniqued bagged a first place finish in the 13 to 14-year-old category of Ironkids Philippines held here Saturday morning.
Baniqued, who turned 13 last December, overcame 400 meters of swimming, biked for 12 kilometers then ran 3 kilometers in the oval before capturing the Ironkid title in 43:08.
"I'm really a swimmer who tried my hands at triathlon," Baniqued tells GMA News Online.
"I started training at 7 years old, and have trained almost everyday [for this competition]."
Utterly fit at a young age, Baniqued cites the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle as key to competing in the ultimate test of human endurance that is triathlon.
"The first thing to do [if you want to compete in triathlon] is to make sure to eat the right food, have a healthy diet then take a run everyday," said Baniqued.
"You have to be serious in training but at the same time you just have to enjoy it. To be an ironkid, you always have to train hard and eat right."
Less than a minute behind Baniqued was Joe Bernard Sarmiento, who finished second at 43:54. Joshua Alexander Ramos came in at third upon finishing the race at 44:16. — APG, GMA News Online
To see race results click on the links 6-8 category, 9-10 category, 11-12 category and 13-14 category.
