IIJIMA TO LEAD GUAM’S TRIATHLON TEAM

A preview of Team Guam heading to Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games June 29 – July 9 amongst 24 island nations

By Patrick Lujan

Pro triathlete and two-time GSPN Athlete of the Year Manami Iijima leads the way for Guam’s triathlon delegation heading to Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.

Iijima will be the target after winning three gold in Saipan’s Mini Games: sprint triathlon, aquathon, and half marathon.

Guam’s squad will feature young talent in youngsters Rynier Di Ramos and Dina Soriano along with veterans Iijima, Jacob Torres, Ryan Matienzo and Jennifer Pulmones.

MEN’S TEAM

Leading the men’s charge are former national champions Torres and Matienzo. The 32-year-old Torres represented Guam in the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands and says it was an eye-opening experience.

“It really opened my eyes to the level of competition and allowed me to meet some awesome people. Representing Guam is also a huge honor, so I felt lucky to be able to do so,” Torres said about last year’s Games.

Torres hopes to improve on his performance and hopefully step on the podium in Palau.

“I have always looked to beat my previous times or best, so I am hoping to put together a better personal performance and hopefully move closer to the podium. Palau is a beautiful place, so I look forward to racing there and enjoying all that beauty.”

Matienzo is known for his running prowess. He won the national triathlon title in his first attempt in 2021. His approach is more so to motivate young athletes to stay active and hungry for competitions like this.

WOMEN’S TEAM

Pulmones, the elder of the group at 48, has been competing in tris for only three years, but took the national title in 2024.

“This is my very first and maybe last to officially represent Guam, I just want to get the best out of it,” said Pulmones, who also pulled off an Ironman race in Taiwan last year.

Her sights on Palau: “I just hope to cross that line bringing with me the PRIDE OF GUAM – whether I set a personal best or finish strong.”

17-year-old Soriano just graduated from JFK as the class valedictorian! She has been competing in triathlons since she was in middle school and also participated in high school wrestling and paddling.

She looks forward to gaining as much experience, especially from her Olympic teammate Manami.

“I hope to represent Guam well, especially being alongside Manami Ijima.”

For our sure-shot hope of more gold, Iijima is approaching these Games in her usual humble ways.

“I hope to have fun and inspire our Pacific region. A win would be great but we can’t always control the uncontrollable.”

These athletes won’t see action until later into the Games. The triathlon will take place on Monday, July 7th with the mixed triathlon on July 8th. The aquathon will be the last event of the Games on July 9th.

The team will be assisted by team managers Mark Cruz and Mylene Garcia.