Filipino swim coach in Dubai places fourth at Aquaman 10K in comeback after losing 13 kg

Juan Paulo Kizu, a 37-year-old Filipino swimming and triathlon coach who has worked in Dubai since 2014, finished fourth overall at the Aquaman Dubai 10KM on October 18 as he returns to open-water racing after losing about 13 kg.

Juan Paulo Kizu, a 37-year-old Filipino swimming and triathlon coach who has been working in Dubai since 2014, finished fourth overall and first in the 35–39 age group at the Aquaman Dubai 10KM on October 18, The Global Filipino Magazine reported. The race was four loops of roughly 2.5KM each, in water hovering at 33–34°C under direct sunlight.

Four of his planned energy gels were gone at the start, and cramping set in after about two loops. Around the 5.5KM mark, Ann from Filipino Runners United handed him an extra gel and three dates, which he said helped him tremendously.

"Aquaman reminded me that endurance isn't always about speed. Sometimes it is about staying calm, adapting when your plan goes wrong and finding a way to finish," Juan Paulo said.

The result earned him a qualifying spot in the Aquaman World Final in Soma Bay, Egypt, though he will not be able to compete there because of the financial costs involved.

Three races in three weeks

Six days later, at the Arena Open Water Series 1 – 5KM on October 24, he placed seventh overall and second in the 19–39 age group, and was the first Filipino to cross the line in the 5KM. The final and biggest test of this stretch is Oceanman Dubai 10KM on November 8, 2026, where his goal is to once again become the first Filipino finisher in the 10KM.

From lifeguard to coach

The San Pablo City native first worked in Dubai as a Senior Lifeguard with Dubai Municipality, where colleagues introduced him to triathlon. He later founded Hydrodynamic Aquatics, through which he coaches freelance across Dubai, from babies and beginners to age-group swimmers, adults, open-water swimmers and triathletes. He also teaches in the Learn-to-Swim program at the American School of Dubai, and his LinkedIn profile lists him as a middle school swim coach and triathlon coach there since August 2023.

During his years away from serious training, his weight climbed from about 72 kg to around 100 kg. He restarted his fitness journey in May 2026 and has since lost about 13 kg. For fellow Filipinos in the UAE thinking of returning to a sport they once loved, he offered this advice.

"So if you want to return to a sport you once loved, don't worry about starting where you left off. Start where you are today."

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