Ironman 70.3 triathlon Filipino champ is COVID-19 survivor

Augusto Benedicto, a Filipino triathlete, said he tested for COVID in January and survived since he is already vaccinated.

Benedicto, 38, said despite his medical ordeal, he still decided to join this year's race participated by 2,000 triathletes worldwide since he missed the sport that had been out for the past two years.

Benedicto emerged as the overall champion in the male category with the fastest time of four hours, 29 minutes, and 16 minutes.

Taking second place in the category was Australia’s Mark Jansen with a time of 4:36:05, and Benedicto’s teammate, John Dedeus Alcala (4:37:54), took third place.

The veteran Filipino triathlete also won the men’s 35-38 class.

On the women's side, Filipino veteran triathlete Ines Santiago won the overall crown with a time of 5:23:14.

Leyann Ramo wound up second in 5:32:00, while Cebu’s pride, Cianyl Gonzalez, settled for third with a 5:36:09 clocking.

Hong Kong’s Wang Ruby Cheng (5:36:53) and Malaysia’s Mei See Chin (5:42:33) completed the top five.

Santiago also ruled the 40-44 age group, Ramo in the 30-34, and Gonzalez in the 25-29 class. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)