ROSE HALL St James — Two French natives emerged champions of the Olympic male and female sections of the third annual Rose Hall Triathlon here yesterday.

Defending champion Nicholas Becker powered his way first past the finishing line in the men’s category in a time of 2:09:39 hours; while Frenchwoman Elizabeth Mondon, who has recently taken up residence in Jamaica, was the first female to cross the line in a time of 2:42:42 hours.

Becker finished ahead of perennial rival, Egyptian Omar Nour, who finished in a time of 2:12:25 hours.

Ben Greenfield, who did a time of 2:18:48 hours, and Monika Przybylska (3:03:36 hours), finished third in the male and female sections, respectively.

The international distance race featured a 1,500-metre swim at Iberostar, Rose Hall; a 40K bike ride starting along the Rose Hall highway, in the vicinity of Iberostar, traversing through the hills of Spring Farm and looping back at Blue Diamond, to finish at the Rose Hall Great House; and ended with a 10K run on the Cinnamon Hill championship golf course.

Becker, who expressed great respect for Nour, noted that he went hard in the swimming event to distance himself from the Egyptian, whom he knows is very strong in biking and running.

He promised to return for next year’s staging to defend his title.

“I will be back next year. Three times in a row,” the Frenchman promised.

But the Egyptian, who was also elated over his second place finish, promised to renew the rivalry with Becker next year, when he predicted he will get the better of his French rival, whom he describes as an “excellent athlete”.

“This is the second time I have participated. Next year I will be the champ. Nicholas will be done,” Nour predicted.

Meanwhile, Mondon, the female champ, said that the race was extremely taxing.

“It is very hard, it is a really a hard race.”