The closing of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is supposed to be fun however the exact opposite happened as it was marred by the death of one of the participants at the LAgo del Rey in Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC).
Miguel Vazquez, 53, president of the pre-need firm Permanent Plans Inc., and was representing Team Alamat died yesterday. Vazquez was a friend of Alaska president Wilfred Uytengsu, who also happens to be the chief organizer of the event that drew the world’s best triathletes and was sanctioned by the World Triathlon Corp.
No official word on how Vazquez drowned during the first leg of the Ironman Challenge but there were speculations that he either had a heart attack or was accidentally kicked by another participant during the swimming event.
“Miguel was a personal friend of mine,” said Uytengsu, who had to withdraw from the individual race after learning the news.“Our deepest condolences to the family which has been informed of this tragedy and we will extend all necessary assistance. Just recently, Miguel joined us in an open water swim in Batangas,” he added.
Camarines Sur Gov. Lray Villafuerte, host of the event, also expressed his condolences to Vazquez’s family and said that it was an unfortunate event. “We’re really saddened by the news. We sympathize with the family. Things like this really happen, but of course, it’s really unfortunate,” he said.
Organizers said an investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of death of Vazquez and details will be released soon.
