Taguig athletes Aira Lopez and Alou Lopez brought Philippine triathlon to the international stage as they competed at the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
Held on September 12, the prestigious event brought together athletes from around the world for a challenging 70.3-mile triathlon consisting of a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike course, and 21.1-kilometer run.
Taguig Athletes Take on the World Stage
Aira and Alou Lopez were among the Filipino athletes who qualified to compete in the World Championship, representing the Philippines in one of the sport’s major international events. A post shared by Taguig official Lani Cayetano celebrated the sisters’ achievement, highlighting Aira and Alou among the Filipino female contenders and congratulating them for their performances in Nice. Their participation also reflects the growing presence of Filipino endurance athletes in international triathlon competitions, with both sisters taking on a demanding course alongside competitors from around the world.
Aira Lopez Records the Fastest Filipino Time
Aira Lopez delivered the fastest time among the Filipino competitors at the World Championship, completing the race in 6 hours, 35 minutes, and 59 seconds. GMA News reported that she earned the distinction of being the fastest Filipina among the Philippine competitors in the event. For Aira, the Nice race also marked her first IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship appearance. She later described the experience as a memorable opportunity to represent the Philippines on the international stage. She completed the Mediterranean swim before tackling the challenging bike course through the Alpes-Maritimes and finishing with a half-marathon along the Promenade des Anglais.
Alou Lopez Joins the International Competition
Aira’s sister, Alou Lopez, also completed the World Championship race, finishing with a time of 7 hours, 15 minutes, and 29 seconds. GMA reported that Alou recorded the third-fastest time among the Filipino competitors. The Taguig official post celebrating the athletes highlighted Alou as one of the leading Filipino female contenders at the event, adding another milestone to the sisters’ international triathlon journey. Competing alongside her sister also made the World Championship experience a family achievement, with both athletes carrying Philippine representation onto the Nice course.
