Yamamoto dominates Rota Blue Triathlon

In a picturesque setting framed by clear blue skies, 118 triathletes competed in the 15th Annual Rota Blue Triathlon held on the southernmost island of the Northern Marianas chain last Sunday.

Japan’s 2008 Beijing Olympian Ryosuke Yamamoto crossed the finish line of the 1.5- kilometer swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km Olympic-distance race with a winning time of 1:57:18 in the men’s A-type division.

Fellow Japanese contender Yuuya Fukaura was the second finisher of the men’s division, eight minutes behind the winner in 2:05:15, with Japan native Yu Yumoto placing a close third with a total combined time of 2:08:11.

In the women’s A-type division, Satomi Ookouchi of Japan dominated first place, finishing in 2:28:08. Guam’s native Sarah Mutler took second with a total combined time of 2:57:36, while Japan’s Nahoko Niwatook finished close on the heels of Mutler in 2:59:20.

“After 15 years of races, we’re pleased the Rota Blue Triathlon is still going strong and continuing to attract international triathletes,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio. “It’s a competitive, Olympic-distance course with the added bonus of being set on a beautiful island, and we thank the KFC Triathlon Club of Japan for working with our community to stage another successful event on Rota.”

Japan was well represented at the race, securing a straight victory in the B-type division. In the men’s B-type division, Yujiro Harada garnered first place with an overall combined time of 4:20:24. Kodo Hiramatu placed second in 4:25:03, while in third was veteran triathlete Masayuki Matsumaru with an overall combined time of 4:28:14.

In the women’s B-type division, Keiko Kimura took first place with an overall combined time of 5:44:35, Takako Morinaga placed second in 5:59:04, and Shigeyo Muneta completed the race with an overall combined time of 6:27:12.

The competitors started the annual Blue Triathlon with a swim course through the tepid water of the island’s East Harbor. Triathletes then biked a 40-km course along scenic, paved and dirt roads from Sinapalo Village through Sasanhaya Bay Lookout and back to East Harbor. The race finished with a 10-km run up the eastside of the island through the panoramic Alaguan Bay Lookout.

As in previous years, Kiyokazu Onishi of the KFC Triathlon Club of Japan organized the annual Rota Blue Triathlon with the support of the Rota community. Rota Mayor Joseph S. Inos expressed his appreciation to Onishi and the KFC Triathlon Club of Japan’s organization for “being a true friend and partner to the people of Rota.”

He also acknowledged the hard work and generous support of the sponsors and government departments, offices, and employees who helped make the event a success.

During the awards banquet, Mayor Inos and president Onishi also made special recognition of longtime triathlete Noboru Nomura, who completed the triathlon with a total time of 5:22:58, and 11-year-old Kenta Suganuma, who completed the 15th edition in 3:14:26 as the youngest competitor.

The 15th Annual Rota Blue Triathlon is one of four major triathlon events held in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands—the others being the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Tagaman Triathlon, and the Tinian Turquoise Blue events.

Onishi also thanked the Marianas Visitors Authority, Mayor Inos and his staff members, Bay Breeze Restaurant & Bar, Department of Public Safety (Boating, Traffic & Fire Division), the Rota Resort & Country Club, Rota Health Center, Department of Public Works, System Clinic, Body Tune, Rota Municipal Council, Department of Labor, Department of Finance, Department of Commerce, Mark Michael, Budweiser, Mid-Pac, and Ruben & Sirena for assisting with the annual event. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]