SUBIC — Seeking redemption, Michael Comaling copped gold in the beach triathle event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games modern pentathlon, Friday at the Boardwalk here.
The 19-year-old native of Ormoc City dominated the event that had the competitors compete in a shoot-swim-run course, clocking in at 17 minutes and 8.87 seconds.
It was 10.97 seconds faster than runner-up Phurit Yohuang of Thailand and 28.89 seconds ahead of eventual-bronze medalist Muhammad Taufik of Indonesia.
And it was the perfect bounce-back for Comaling after finishing in seventh place yesterday during the laser-run individual event.
“Actually, kaya namang ipanalo yung laban kahapon pero hindi ako kumain,” rued Comaling. “And I learned my lesson sa mga coach na nag-inspire sa akin na today learn from it, forget the past, and focus on today.
“That’s why kumain ng marami and ngayon gave me energy to win.”
Comaling’s teammate Dexter Ardemer finished in seventh place with a time of 22:05.51.
For the women’s team, luck was on the side of Princess Arbilon.
Arbilon finished the race at a time of 21:29.36 — good for fourth. But Thailand’s Sanruthai Aransiri, who was running third, was penalized during the shoot part of the race that knocked her off the podium and lifted the 17-year-old Filipina to bronze.
“Sa shooting po nawawalan ako ng focus,” lamented Arbilon, who yesterday won gold in the mixed team relay of the beach laser-run. “Bale nung napansin ko na fith ako, nag-go lang ako ng go, thinking na makakuha ayun naka bronze naman tayo.”
Indonesia finished 1-2 as Dea Salsabila Putri won her second gold with a time of 19:52.73 while partner Cintya Nariska finished second (20:02.02).
The mixed team relay of the triathle takes place on Saturday.
