Stroke caused Vazquez' death in Ironman triathlon

Sunrise Events president and CEO Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. said stroke caused the death of pre-need executive Juan Miguel Vazquez during the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 race. Vazquez’s death happened during the first-ever Ironman race held in the country, organized by Uytengsu’s group, last Sunday at the Camsur Watersports Complex. The race is divided into a 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-K bike and 21-K New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone topped the Ironman Philippines, which is half the standard distance of the full Ironman, with a winning time of 3:51:25. Uytengsu’s revelation ended speculations on how Vasquez died going into the second loop of the 1.9-kilometer swim leg, as there were no witnesses of what really happened to the 52-year-old executive.

Fellow relay team member Johann Espiritu alerted race officials when Vasquez, gone for more than an hour, did not turn up to pass him the timing chip. Runner Patrick Garcia was also part of the three-member relay Team Alamat. Vazquez’s body was later retrieved by race officials near the CWC Cable Park’s man-made lake and was immediately rushed to the Mother Seton Hospital in Naga where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A heart attack or a kick from a fellow swimmer during the swim’s mass start were said to have caused Vazquez’s death. After his body was flown to Manila, medico legal findings ruled a stroke as the main cause of death, and the heart attack only secondary. He was also found with several bruises on his body. Uytengsu, who pulled out of the individual competition upon learning of Vazquez’s death, was shocked to find out what happened to his friend. “We are very much saddened by the loss of Miguel and share in his family’s grief. He was a kind and caring person who loved to compete and looked forward to the challenge in this event." “Miguel and I spoke about his enthusiasm about the event for several months leading up to last Sunday and I distinctly remember wishing him luck minutes before the start of the swim (leg where) he gave me a thumbs-up sign," he added. Uytengsu said organizers followed standard protocol during the incident where first aid was given to Vasquez immediately after he was found. “We will certainly deploy additional measures to mitigate a similar occurrence in the future. The safety of our athletes is always our top priority." A strong swimmer, Vazquez was said to have joined Uytengsu and his training team a few weeks ago in an open water swim in Batangas. Triathlon-related deaths are considered rare, but these commonly occur during the swim. A similar incident happened in the OSIM Singapore Triathlon concluded two weeks before the Ironman, where a racer died during the swim leg. – GMANews.TV