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Miyazuka tops Tinian Turquoise Blue
Hidea Miyazuka finishes the swim leg of the Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon last Feb. 15. Miyazuka finished first in the triathlon in 2:42:13.(9MVA)
Hideya Miyazuka led a pack of 32 competitors from Japan and the Northern Mariana Islands to top the 14th Annual Tinian Turquoise Blue held last Feb. 15.
The 50-year-old Japanese competitor, a repeat champion in the triathlon and a familiar face on the race circuit in the Northern Marianas, finished the course in 2:42:13. He was followed by Tyce Mister of Saipan (2:48:33) and Nobuhiro Nakano of Japan (3:27:30).
The top female finishers were Yoko Tsurugi (3:38:44), Chieko Yageta (3:41:20), and Sayuri Kamuo (3:46:48), all of Japan.
“Good weather and the continued warm hospitality of the people of Tinian contributed to another great triathlon this month,” said Marianas Visitors Authority community projects manager Martin Duenas. “The participants also appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival that same weekend and to be recognized on-stage during the festivities. We thank the Office of the Mayor, the municipal council, our MVA members, and community for partnering with the MVA to make this a memorable weekend in Tinian for the athletes.”
The Reef Swim portion of the event attracted 12 competitors. Syoji Yamashita of Japan finished first in the 1.5K swim with a time of 00:41:55, Riko Nagashima of Japan took top honors in the 3K course with a time of 1:02:24, and Vener Urena of Saipan finished the 4.5K course first in 1:24:40.
The Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon and Reef Swim are part of a series of sports-oriented signature events staged each year by the MVA. The next events will be the XTERRA Saipan Championship on April 5, Tagaman Triathlon on April 12, and Saipan Marathon on April 19. For more information, visit the MVA Events Calendar at www.mymarianas.com. (MVA)
