Gian Taylor tried his luck to reach a lofty goal of racing for Team Go For Gold and the national squad someday.
The 15-year-old triathlete from Malaybalay, Bukidnon moved a step closer to that direction when he ruled the male 12-17 category of the Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint recently in Naga, Cebu.
Taylor of Bukids Multisport arrived ahead of the field after completing the short-distance triathlon that serves as a qualifying race to earn a spot in the Go For Gold team in one hour, 11 minutes and 36 seconds.
"My biggest dream is to represent our country to the Olympics,’’ said Taylor, a Grade 9 student from San Isidro College High School in Bukidnon.
Renzo Mar Pahaganas checked in second in 1:21:43 to conquer the punishing 750-meter open-water swim, 20km bike and 5km run followed by third-placer Jericho Auguis (1:21:57).
There are actually five more races where the top male and female finishers get to earn a contract from Go For Gold, a chief backer of the men’s triathlon team.
“This came from our commitment to grow events in the Philippines which our athletes could join so they will have more opportunities to showcase their talent,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go.
After the race in Naga, Cebu, the next stop will be the Go For Gold SwimBikeRun.PH Aquaman at Vermosa Sports Hub on May 19 followed by the Go For Gold SBR PH Duaman in Nuvali on June 16.
Another Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint in Davao City on July 7 has been scheduled before winding it up with the Go For Gold SBR PH Triman-Clark on July 28 and the Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint-Subic on Nov. 4.
“A lot were sending me messages on how they could join the Go For Gold team. That’s why we came up with this selection process,’’ said Go, vice president for marketing of Powerball Marketing and Logistics Corp.
Go explained that the 10 fastest clockings in both men and women during the SBR races and the Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint open category would be rewarded with corresponding points according to their order of finish.
He added the winners, which will be announced after the Nov. 4 race, will receive a professional contract worth up to P100,000 plus a Storck bike and a specially crafted Go For Gold trophy.
