But Ouano, the third edition champion, admitted it would not be easy for him with the presence of Cagayan De Oro
City ace tri-athlete.

" I expect a tough race, " Ouano told sportswriters Thursday during the Davao Sportswriters Forum at the Tower Inn Hotel.

Touted as City of Friendship's best tri-athlete, Neil Cateel will be seeing action and vying for top honors in the tournament which has attracted some 80 athletes from various places nati
onwide.

The 23-year-old Cateel, who recently won the National Age-Group triathlon race Cagayan De Oro leg, had defeated Ouano once in a race in the Visayas crossing the finish line first one minute ahead of the Davao City bet.

" I will do my best to defend the title," said the 25-year-old Ouano.

In this race, Ouano will compete in the 25-29 class while Cateel is entered in the 20-24 division. There are six other age groups in the tournament.

The one-day race will feature a 1-km swim, 30-km bike and 7-km run.

Cash prizes amounting to P38,000 are up for grabs in the tournament supported by the Sports Development Division – City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) under Christopher "Bong" Go and under the supervision of Triathlon Association of Davao (Triad). (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)