The Philippine Star
August 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Japanese athletes stamped their class in dominant trend on the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu at Mactan Newtown in Cebu final Sunday, sweeping a number of age group titles and clinching each general championships within the males’s and girls’s divisions.
Native standouts Kristiane Lim and Khimberly Paquibot ensured the Filipino flag remained proudly represented within the occasion, introduced by Megaworld and Mactan Newtown, whilst Australian Josh Ferris and New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson captured the highlight by successful the premier professional division titles – cheered on by a full of life crowd that included enthusiastic schoolchildren.
Ryosuke Ohata spearheaded Japan’s cost with an excellent all-around efficiency, outdueling compatriot Yuki Umeda in an exhilarating all-Japanese showdown within the premier endurance race organized by Dawn Occasions, Inc. After splitting the highest positions within the swim and bike legs of the grueling 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run race, Ohata unleashed a blistering 1:28:08 run cut up to grab the general age-group title in a formidable 4:26:30.
