and Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Julie Derron lived up to expectations while Christopher Deegan rose to the occasion by emerging as champions of the Asia Triathlon Cup Putrajaya at the Putrajaya Watersports Complex here today.
Julie, 26, won the women's category in a time of 57 minutes and 29 seconds while Deegan was victorious in the men's race at 53 minutes 22 seconds.
The races were held in a sprint format comprising a 750 metre swim, 20km of biking and a 5km run.
Swiss Julie, who is currently ranked world No.22, was visibly delighted to take the win.
The 2021 European Championship winner has now won 10 titles worldwide.
"I've won in China before but this is my first time racing in Malaysia, so I am really happy to win it," said Julie.
"I was training in China and it was just a short trip to come over here. I am really happy to start my season like this."
Julie is currently No. 17 in the Olympic qualifying rankings. The top-26 at the end of the qualifying window will secure a ticket to the Paris games.
Aussie Deegan said he never expected to win.
"I've never actually been on the podium at this level before," said Deegan.
"I just have not had a race where all the pieces have come together before.
"I'm surprised to win it but I knew that my training (performance) suggested that I was capable of doing it."
Malaysian national champions Isaac Tan and Esther Joy Chen both achieved respectable top-half finishes in their respective events.
Esther did well to place 12th in the women's event on 1:08:15s, while the men's competition saw Isaac managing a decent 26th in the 64-man field with a time of 57:59s.
It was just four seconds shy of his personal best recorded at the Asia Triathlon Cup Subic Bay in the Philippines last year.
"I feel awesome, it was a very emotional race because I managed to push myself very hard towards the end despite a stomach cramp," said Isaac.
"It's a great start to the year. I hope to remain consistent with my performance throughout the season. I want to consistently achieve sub-58 minutes and I'm working towards breaking the 56-minute barrier."
The Asia Triathlon Cup Putrajaya, which served as the curtain-raiser of the annual Asia Triathlon Cup series, was flagged off by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
The event was jointly organised by Malaysia Triathlon and Eventure Global with support from Putrajaya Corporation.
RESULTS:
Men's elite: 1. Christopher Deegan (Aus) 53:22s, 2. Fan Junjie (Chn) 53:52s, 3. Phillip Pertl (Aut) 54:15s.
Selected Malaysians: 26. Isaac Tan 57:59s, 40. Yap Qi Yi 1:01:39s, 42. Benjamin John Chen 1:02:33s.
Women's elite: 1. Julie Derron (Sui) 57:29s, 2. Bailee Brown (Hkg) 59:03s, 3. Alanis Siffert (Sui) 59:35s.
Selected Malaysians: 12. Esther Joy Chen 1:08:15s, 15. Ng Wen May 1:09:29, 18. Sara Joy Chen 1:12:48s.