Yee and Trupa Defend Elite Titles at National Age Group Duathlon
The National Age Group Duathlon, held at Villar City in Las Piñas on Sunday, witnessed dominant performances from defending champions Franklin Yee and Merry Joy Trupa in the elite sprint categories. This event, a key part of Triathlon Philippines' grassroots and talent identification program led by Tom Carrasco Jr., highlighted the rising stars of the sport.
Men's Elite Division: Yee Retains Crown with Improved Time
Franklin Yee, a 23-year-old business management student from the University of San Carlos in Bogo City, Cebu, successfully defended his title in the men's elite sprint. He completed the challenging 5km run, 20km bike, and 2.5km run course in an impressive 56 minutes and 20 seconds, surpassing his previous winning time of 57:13 from last year.
"I'm happy I was able to defend my title," Yee expressed after the race, reflecting on his consistent performance.
John Patrick Ciron from Iriga City, Camarines Sur, secured the silver medal with a time of 56:43, improving from his bronze-winning 57:26 in the previous edition. Maynard Pecson of Baguio City claimed third place with a time of 58:56, despite not expecting a podium finish.
"There were many strong competitors, especially the young ones," noted Pecson, a 27-year-old graduating tourism management student from St. Louis University, who recently excelled as the second-best Filipino finisher at the Ironman 70.3 in Davao.
Women's Elite Division: Trupa Triumphs with Focus on Improvement
In the women's elite division, Merry Joy Trupa emerged victorious with a time of 1:06:51, outpacing Lady Samantha Jhunace Corpuz (1:10:12) and Dhana Victoria Lomboy (1:11:57). Trupa, a 23-year-old who recently graduated with an agri-business degree from Tarlac Agricultural University in Camiling, emphasized her commitment to growth.
"I'm glad that I won again. The goal is to keep on improving," said Trupa, who also earned a silver medal at the 2025 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Bahrain.
With her studies completed, Trupa added, "I can now focus on my training and competitions," signaling a dedicated approach to her athletic career.
Junior Elite and Upcoming Competitions
The event also featured strong performances in the junior elite categories. Hermogenes Branzuela won the men's junior elite gold with a time of 57:46, ahead of Eric Hechanova (1:01:35) and Anxader Gomez (1:03:06). In the women's junior elite, Anisha Eunice Caluya topped the podium with 1:09:54, followed by Candace Marie Socito (1:15:58) and Scottie Lee Awitan (1:20:20).
Looking ahead, Yee, Pecson, and Trupa are set to compete in the T100 triathlon in Singapore on April 25 and 26, building on their recent successes. Notably, Yee, Pecson, Trupa, and Erika Burgos previously won a mixed relay team silver medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, showcasing their potential on the international stage.
Supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Age Group Duathlon continues to serve as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing talent in Philippine triathlon, with participants demonstrating resilience and competitive spirit.
