Redemption for Phl weightlifters

The Philippine weightlifting team got its redemption in the just-concluded 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

From a zero-gold campaign in 2017, the national team lifted two golds in the biennial competition courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz and Kristel Macrohon.

“I’m more than satisfied. We didn’t win gold in past SEA Games, now we had two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes. Not bad,” Samahang Weighlifiting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella said.

Diaz finally won her first SEA Games gold after ruling the women’s 55kg event while Macrohon conquered the 71kg category.

John Fabliar Ceniza (men’s 55kg), Margaret Colonia (women’s 59kg) and Elreen Ann Ando (women’s 64kg) produced the team’s silvers while Olympian Nestor Colonia (men’s 67kg) and Mary Flor Diaz (women’s 45kg) settled for the bronze medals.

Puentevella said the SWP’s next target is to qualify in next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

“To qualify for weightlifting in the Olympics, one must join six qualifying events endorsed by IWF (International Weightlifting Federation). Then the four top scores will be evaluated by the IF (International Federation) on who will make it,” Puentevella said.

“We’re almost finished. Two more to go, including Hidilyn (Diaz), we have Kristel Macrohon, Elreen Ando, Nestor Colonia, Jeffrey Garcia, John Ceniza, and Mary Flor Diaz,” he added.

Puentevella hopes at least three weightlifters will qualify in the Summer Games.

“In Rio Olympics, it was Hidilyn and Colonia. Now we’re praying for three or four to make it and so far, so good.”