By Jerome Lagunzad
Kim Mangrobang is making the most of her much-needed respite in the country so far, but that doesn’t mean the reigning “Queen of Philippine triathlon” is content of what she’s having right now.
Mangrobang, 26, is setting her sights on a lofty goal this year as she aims to make a podium finish in the 18th Asian Games co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia from August 18 to Sept. 2.
Fresh from a gold medal finish in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mangrobang said she’s determined to redeem herself after finishing ninth overall in the 2014 Asiad held in Incheon, South Korea.
“Ang gusto ko sana, maka-podium finish (this year),” she said in an interview with ESPN5’s SportsCenter on Thursday night, looking fresh and vibrant following a year-round training in Portugal.
“Right now, off-season kami. Masaya naman. Hindi ako nagri-race. Hindi rin ako nagte-training masyado kasi Holidays pa. Sinabihan ako ni coach na mag-off kasi whole year round rin kami nag-training.”
However, Mangrobang will buckle down to work anew starting on January 15 as she flies back to the historic European country for an expected “rigid training” geared towards making a big splash in future international tournaments, including several qualifiers for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
“Ever since kasi na nagsi-swimming pa lang ako, I want to be an Olympian. Step by step, gusto ko may naa-achieve ako,” said Mangrobang. “Now, SEA Games muna then Asian Games tsaka ko mark-reach ‘yung goal ko to (make it to the) Olympics.”
For now, Mangrobang said she’s pleased that she has done her part in terms of promoting and helping the sport develop in the country. But she’s still getting used to it being fondly called as “The Queen.”
“Parang hindi pa ako sanay. Last time, si Claire (Adorna) ‘yung tinatawag nila kasi siya ‘yung nag-gold (in 2015 SEA Games.) And then ngayon sinasabi nila na ako naman. Medyo nagugulat pa rin ako na ako na pala ‘yun.”
What won’t surprise Mangrobang at all is her expected team-up with Adorna to help the Philippines make its presence felt in the Asian Games.
“Iwo-work namin ni Claire ‘yun kasi yung triathlon, individual sport man siya, kailangan pa rin ng teamwork,” she said.
“Sobrang laki ng potential natin sa triathlon. Hindi naman natin kailangan ng height. Ang pinaka-kailangan is ‘yung endurance. So kailangan lang natin ng matinding training. ‘Yun lang talaga.”
