There is a good chance that back-to-back Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kim Mangrobang can make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The top Filipina triathlete currently holds the 121st place in the world rankings. Only those who make it to the top 26 can get into this year’s quadrennial meet.
But if she wins in the 2021 Asia Triathlon Championships Hatsukaichi which will be held in Japan this April, Mangrobang will automatically secure a slot in the Olympiad.
Tom Carrasco Jr., president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, explained, “Kim Mangrobang has a good chance. There are only nine countries participating. Ang Japan mayroon ng entry ‘yan. Ang slot kasi is given to the country [Japan has an entry, because the slot is given to the country]. Let’s say Japan becomes the champion, filled up na ‘yong slot nila [their slot is filled up]. Somebody, the second or third placer might get it.”
Carrasco is confident that the Portugal-based triathlete will have a good showing because her training was not compromised for the upcoming continental stint.
“Our best talaga (really) is Kim Mangrobang. She’s in shape. She’s been training with a Norwegian coach in Portugal for the last three months and she’s good. She is doing very well,” Carrasco said.
The 2021 Asia Triathlon Championships Hatsukaichi will be held from April 23 to 25.
Report by Mae Ann Fajardo/JBB-jlo
