Comaling adds beach triathle gold to Phl haul

Michael Ver Comaling is flanked by silver medalist Phurit Yohuang of Thailand and bronze medalist Muhammad Taufik of Indonesia. (Jonas Reyes)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT–The Philippines’ Michael Ver Comaling nailed gold in the men’s beach triathle of modern pentathlon in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Boardwalk area here on Friday.

The sharpshooting swimmer clocked 17:08.87 in beating Thailand’s Phurit Yohuang (17:19.83) in the shoot-swim-run competition.

Comaling, a member of the Leyte Sports Academy in Ormoc, said his being quick on the draw and relaxed swimming made his victory possible.

Indonesia’s Muhammad Taufik took the bronze medal with a time of 17:37.76. He initially paced the beach laser run leg.

Michael Comaling in action during the shooting leg. (Jonas Reyes)

Comaling was recently crowned Mister Icon World Philippines but was not be able to compete in the Mister Icon World 2019 pageant in India because of conflict in schedule.