In a showcase of endurance, strategy and unyielding spirit, Southeast Asian Games triathlon medalists Kim Remolino and Erika Burgos stamped their class once again at the 2025 Sunrise Sprint in Mactan, Cebu last Sunday, delivering performances that reflected not just physical prowess, but championship character.

Remolino, the pride of Cebu and a multiple SEA Games medalist, reaffirmed his dominance in the men’s division, successfully defending his overall crown with a time of 1:10:03 in the sprint triathlon (750m swim-20km bike-5km run).

It was a masterclass in consistency and composure under pressure – and a symbolic re-assertion of supremacy in his ongoing rivalry with fellow Cebuano standout and SEA Games medalist Matthew Hermosa, who finished just 31 seconds behind at 1:10:34.

From the start, Remolino set a blistering pace with a 9:12 swim, emerging first from the water and immediately asserting control. He then maintained a steady tempo in the bike leg (39:28), before unleashing his best in the final run leg, clocking 17:31 – the fastest among the field – to fend off a late push from Hermosa.

The performance not only sealed his second straight overall Sunrise Sprint title but also earned him top honors in the 25-29 age group, while Hermosa settled for the 20-24 trophy. Renz Corbin rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in 1:11:41 (9:23 swim, 39:27 bike, 18:57 run), showing that the competition remains as fierce as ever among the region’s elite.

In the women’s division, it was Burgos who shone brightest, reaffirming her status as one of the Philippines' most exciting rising stars in triathlon. Her victory came not just through talent, but through smart racing and unrelenting resolve.

Burgos clocked 1:20:31 to claim the overall women’s title, spearheaded by a decisive finishing kick in the run leg – a 20:34 effort that made all the difference in outlasting a game challenge from Eunice Caluya, who finished second at 1:22:37.

Though Caluya stayed within striking distance after the swim (10:22) and even gained a few seconds in the bike leg (45:10 vs. Burgos’ 45:19), Burgos remained calm and composed heading into the final stretch.

With steely focus, she surged ahead, showing the finishing grit that has come to define her rise in the sport.

“This race was really about testing where I’m at,” said Burgos, who also topped the 20–24 age category.

Cebuana Nicole Marie del Rosario finished third in 1:27:23, while Caluya took home the 16–19 crown, proving that the future of women’s triathlon is in capable hands.