Ellis grabs second gold in mixed team event of Asian Triathlon Junior Cup
THE PHILIPPINES’ Kira Ellis continued to impress as she claimed her second gold medal in the mixed team event of the Asian Triathlon Junior Cup in Kampar, Malaysia yesterday.
Ms. Ellis joined forces with Matthew Ellis, Samantha Corpuz and Dayshaun Ramos in anchoring the Filipinos to the gold by clocking an hour and 27 minutes and 53 seconds in the super sprint distances of 300-meter swim, 5km bike and 1.25km run format.
Hong Kong wound up second in 1:29.32 while South Korea third in 1:30.43 in the field of 14 nations.
It was Ms. Ellis’ second triumph after reigning supreme in the girls’ side the day before. Ms. Ellis, whose trip was being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, will continue to play in the junior program (16 to 19 years old) where she will receive a high-performance training regimen by year end.
She also came from a five-week camp in Desmor, Portugal under coach Sergio Santos and participated in the grueling European Junior Cup in Hungary a week back.
“She’s our future and a bright hope for the 2028 Olympics,” said Triathlon Philippines Chair Tom Carrasco. — Joey Villar