RIB INJURY FAILS TO STOP TRIATHLETE ESTHER FROM FINISHING SECOND AT SEATF C'SHIPS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama): Not even a rib injury could stop Esther Joy Chen from finishing second in the triathlon event at the Southeast Asia Triathlon Federation (SEATF) Championships in Lumut, Perak today.

The competition, held at Marina Island Pangkor in conjunction with the 2024 Perak Sports Festival, saw Esther complete the challenge with an overall time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 54 seconds (s) to finish behind 2021 SEA Games bronze medallist Raven Alcoseba of the Philippines (1:18.10s), with Malaysia's Cindy Sui taking bronze in 1:22.32s.

Although she failed to defend her title, Esther was still satisfied with her achievement today.

"I was not very confident about the championships this time because I was involved in a cycling accident several weeks ago and injured my ribs.

"Despite that, I completed the race and stayed in title contention. This is still quite a good achievement,” she said in a statement today.

Filipino Andrew Remolino dominated the men's event to secure victory in 1:10.32s, pipping compatriot Matthew Hermosa (1:10.42s) and Malaysian Martyn Lim (1:12.06s).

The third edition of the SEATF championships requires participants to complete three heats separately, with different routine combinations, namely swim 300 metres (m)-cycle 5 kilometres (km)-run 2.5 km for the first heat; run 2.5km-cycle 5km-swim 300m for the second heat; and swim 300m-run 2.5km-cycle 5km for the third heat. Participants must complete all the combinations within an hour and a half.

-- BERNAMA