The UAE once again took center stage in global endurance sport as the Dubai T100 Triathlon brought elite and amateur competitors to Jumeirah 3 Beach and the Meydan Racecourse for its 100-kilometer format. Among the standout performers were three Filipino athletes backed by Knightsbridge Group, a legal firm based in Dubai that supports emerging athletes and young talents, with all three completing the demanding middle-distance race.
Jonathan Pagaura emerged as the country’s top finisher after completing his first international triathlon with a podium result. Representing Team Knightsbridge Group, the Boholano athlete secured third place in the men’s 25–29 age group, a field stacked with strong European contenders. His finish also cemented a milestone: he was the first Filipino to cross the line in this year’s Dubai edition.
Close behind him was Cebuano triathlete Marc Felicilda, who placed 16th in the same category and became the second Filipino to complete the course. Both athletes train under VDM Coaching Cebu and were guided in Dubai by their longtime mentor, Vic Montebon.
Montebon—an IRONMAN Davao 70.3 age-group champion—did more than coach on race day. He also took part in the competition and successfully finished the three-discipline challenge, which covers a 2-kilometer swim, 80-kilometer bike segment, and 18-kilometer run.
The Dubai leg of the T100 Triathlon World Tour drew wide attention not only for its competitive field but also for dramatic moments in the men’s professional race, where several top contenders mistakenly missed the bike-course exit for transition, leading to extra laps and timing confusion. American triathlete Morgan Pearson ultimately secured the victory, marking his first T100 title.
Despite the drama and the presence of world-class professionals, the strong showing of the three Filipino athletes added its own highlight to the weekend, especially for the Filipino community in the UAE following their efforts closely.
