August 6 ---- Sometimes the first attempt can be hardest but can also be the most fulfilling, and that proved true for Cebuano runner turned triathlete Mendel Lopez, who surprised himself with a podium finish in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 In his first attempt as a member of Fish 18, Lopez managed to land in third place in 4:39.24, beating last year’s champion Arland Macasieb and veteran Noy Jopson.

And although he trailed this year’s Filipono elite champion August Benedicto and Frank Peñalosa, his personal achievement in this new sport surpassed his own expectations. There may be a few people who had doubts about his capacity, but Lopez continued to rely on his strength rather than be weighed down by his weakness.

It didn’t start off well for him after he experienced pain in his shoulders from wearing a suit he just used for the first time.And the transition to the bike course didn’t come easy as well because of the strong winds that went against them.But it was a good thing he managed to recover from their bike ride just before the transition to the run discipline.Lopez emphasized that among the three sports, the bike was the most crucial course that had given him the advantage in the race and that helped him get pass Gerry Calinawan.

source: sunstar.com.ph