By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK – Nineteen-year-old Kira Ellis powered through food poisoning to lead the Philippine triathlon team to two golds and three silvers – in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi.
Ellis was very much satisfied with her performance, although she could have been better if not for the stomach bug that not only hit her but the entire team.
“I’m happy, I know I did five events. I couldn’t be more proud of the team and myself. We really gave a fight with Indonesia. It was very exciting and I’m just proud of everyone,” said Ellis after capping her stint with a silver medal in the women’s individual triathlon on Friday, Dec. 19.
She clocked 1:01:02.80 to place behind gold medalist Martina Pratiwi of Indonesia, finishing the race in 1:00:11.22.
In all the youthful Filipina triathlete collected her two gold medals in the women’s and mixed team events while her two other silvers came from the aquathlon events.
Ellis admitted that she didn’t really pushed herself too much in the individual race as she was still recovering from the effects of the food poisoning
“I would like to say it didn’t, but it definitely did. Not getting good rest and doing four events before and then not getting sleep and just puking for hours straight was not ideal,” said Ellis.
“It definitely did take a toll on my energy. But the training is there, I knew.
Despite everything, we just have to block that and just give our best. There’s nothing you can do now, so that’s good,” she added.
