SEREMBAN: Seventeen-year-old Yap Qi Yi etched his name as the emerging sensation in the multi-sport realm by winning the National Duathlon Championships at the Matrix Duathlon in Bandar Sri Sendayan last weekend.
Qi Yi outpaced seasoned campaigner Lee Wen Jun in the men's sprint category, completing the 5km run, 20km cycling, and 2.5km run routines in 59 minutes and 39 seconds (59:39) — the only competitor to break the one-hour barrier.
The 25-year-old Wen Jun crossed the finish line in 1:00:14, followed closely by Amri Ikhsaan Yazdani in third with a time of 1:00:42.
Qi Yi was on cloud nine after being crowned the national champion for the first time.
"I'm thrilled to have secured my maiden national title. The win was even more special because I successfully battled through a right leg cramp during the final 2.5km run," said Qi Yi, who finished fourth in the National Triathlon Championship in Desaru in July.
"The cramp occurred after I pushed myself too hard during the bike race.
"Running with cramps, I thought I wouldn't be able to finish the race. However, heading into the final routine in second place (behind William Chang, who eventually finished fourth), I decided to persevere.
"This win is a morale booster for me."
The women's title was claimed by Ng Wen May, who dominated the race with a time of 1:12:40, three minutes faster than second-placed Ng Qiao Yi (1:15:42).
Wen May, a second-year medical student, was thrilled to make a triumphant return to the competition after a brief hiatus to focus on her studies.
"I haven't been training much since the Phnom Penh Sea Games, as my priority was catching up with my studies," said Wen May.
"So, winning the national title under these circumstances was never easy. Timing-wise, I'm satisfied, but in terms of performance, I think I could have done better in my final 2.5km run.
