Torgeson, 36, of Saipan clocked-in a combined total time of 2:27.19 to take his first winning title.
Hideo Miyazuka from Japan, came in second with 2.30:05 and Ken Halliday from Tinian settled for third place finishing .2:42:08. Tyce Mister of Saipan came in fourth with a close 2.50:49.
Kozono Hiromi, a famous movie star from Japan highlighted the event with his participation ranking overall 16.
The TV Tokyo media covered the competition and the actor’s participation.
The annual triathlon grew bigger as this year’s participants joined the grueling 1.5, 3.0. 3.5 and 4.5 kilometer swim; the 40 km bike and the 10 km run.
It started at 7:00 0’clock at the famous cystal clear waters of the beach of the legendary Chief Taga called Taga Beach.
Tinian Mayor’s Office and the Marianas Visitors Authority would like to acknowledged the assistance of the more than fifty volunteers from the Northern Marianas College, Upward Bound, Team Americorps, employees of the TDHC, THC nurses, Tinian Youth Center, Department of Public Works, TMC, the Department of Public Safety, Fire Department and the Boating Safety.
MVA managing director, Perry John P. Tenori welcomed the participants as he noted the presence of many athletes from Japan.
He said in a speech that competitions like the Turquoise Blue Triathlon and Tinian Turquoise Blue Reef Swim help the MVA to promote the orderly growth of the CNMI tourism industry, specifically our Sports Tourism market.
“Just as importantly, we hope that you had an enjoyable visit and have had the opportunity to experience the beauty of Tinian. I am certain that you will return home with delightful memories of our island paradise and hope that you will come back with your families and friends in the future. We hope that you all experience the warmth of our island’s hospitality and wish you a safe return home,” he said.
Tenorio also thanked Kiyokazu Onishi and Kazuo from the KFC Triathlon Club, for their hard work and dedication in putting together this year’s triathlon and reef swim.
