http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2011/06/09/happy-demotion-160123By Iste S. Leopoldo
Thursday, June 9, 2011
CEBU’s top bet Lorhiz Echavez and Noy Jopson were allowed to downgrade from the Elite Filipinos category to the age groups by the World Triathlon Corp.(WTC) for the 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines on Aug. 14.
This was after the two top triathletes appealed to Sunrise Events, which earlier said the elite runners couldn’t join the age group division because they have joined the Xterra Triathlon Philippines Championship as elite runners.
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The two wanted to join the age group divisions because slots for the 2011 Fordman Ironman World Championship on Oct. 8 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii are only available in the age group level.
“I am just so happy about the news, I will really do my best to be able to qualify for Kona,” Echavez told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview.
To ensure that Asia-Pacific athletes are represented at the World Championships, WTC, is allocating 30 slots in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines after the Ironman China was cancelled last month.
Echavez, who registered as an elite, was downgraded to the 25 to 29 age group and will face five foreign and 11 Filipina participants.
“I am not familiar with the foreign participants. However, we will see how it goes during the race,” said Echavez, who has been training since summer.
According to Sugbu Triathlon’s Anton Regis, who will also be joining the Ironman, Echavez has a chance to make history.
“There is a bigger chance for Echavez to qualify for Kona. And if ever she will, she will become the first Cebuana to join the world championships,” Regis said.
