Ceniza’s medal hopes vanish into thin air

John Ceniza was shown the door early in the 61-kilogram class weightlifting competitions late Wednesday at the Paris Olympics.

The Filipino lifter was given the “No Lift” tab while attempting to do 125 kilograms. In three tries, sending him crashing out of the competition.

Ceniza was classified as DNF (did not finish).

Ceniza had lifted 131 kilograms in the past and it was a surprise that the Cebu City bet was unable to get the job done in his Olympic debut.

Ceniza, 26, earned the Paris slot last April by placing fourth at the IWF World Cup in Thailand, lifting a total of 300 kilograms following a 132 kg snatch and 168 kg in the clean and jerk.

This marks his first Summer Games after competing in four world championships across Thailand, Uzbekistan, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia.

A resident of Barangay Pasil in Cebu City, Ceniza also competed twice in the IWF World Cup and three times in the Asian championships.

In the biennial Southeast Asian Games, he was a runner-up twice.

Ceniza is one of three Filipino lifters who qualified for the Olympics after Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, who also hails from the Queen City of the South.

Ando sees action in the 59 kg category, while Sarno, from Bohol, contested in the 71 kg class.

Weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella feels the three are out to gain valuable experience in Paris as they are programmed to be solid gold medal bets when Los Angeles hosts the Games in 2028.

Weightlifting was the source of the Philippines’ first Olympic gold when Hidilyn Diaz delivered big time in the rescheduled Tokyo Games in 2021. Diaz tried to make the Paris grade but she fell short of meeting the standard.

The Philippines’ two gold medals were won by gymnast Carlos Yulo, who ruled the floor exercise and vault over the weekend. A bronze was added by female puncher Aira Villegas, whose advancement was checked when she lost in the semis.

Still in the running for the gold are female fighter Nesthy Petecio, who fights in the semis early Thursday, and the golfing tandem duo of Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina.

Even if the remaining bets falter, the Philippines will still end up posting its most impressive Olympic campaign since winning the one gold in Tokyo.