Kawabata, 29 and Okada, 25 were among the participants of last Saturday’s Tagaman Triathlon. They joined one of Saipan’s major sport events as exchange triathletes from Japan.
For the past few years, Tagaman Triathlon has sent two selected athletes to Japan and in return, have invited two selected athletes from Kaike Triathlon.
It has been a sports exchange program aimed at building the camaraderie between Saipan and Kaike.
Both visiting triathletes have proved enough they can win in Kaike Triathlon that will be held on July 19. The race involves challenging the wild sea in Kaike Onsen in the three-kilometer off-shore swim, the Mount Daisen in the 42.195 kilometer run and a run-course that goes through the heart of Kaike Onsen.
In Tagaman last weekend, Kabawata finished a total time of 3 hours 27 minutes 30 seconds, winning the sixth place in the open division.
He completed the swim course in 39:05; the bike course in 1:47:45 and the run course in 1:12:57.
Okada won the first place in women’s 25 to 29 age bracket division finishing the entire course in 4 hours 5 minutes 43 seconds.
After the two-kilometer swim, she made her way to the bike course at 31:54 then, went to the run out 2:14:17 and finally completed the run course in 1:12:57.
On the next day from the race, Kawabata managed to spend time on Managaha to relax. He also found time enjoying the Annual Flame Tree Festival in Susupe and sightseeing in the Northern part of Saipan.
Okada, according to her mother, Kyoko Okada san who accompanied her here, recently joined the special team formed by the three-time Kaike Triathlon champion, Obara.
