LOCAL weightlifters participated in a qualifier hosted by CNMI Weightlifting for spots on the national teams that will compete in the 2023 Micronesian Games which will be held in the Marshall Islands in July, and in the 2023 Pacific Games which will be hosted by the Solomon Islands in November.
In the men’s division, Joey Colisao and Angel San Nicolas, gold medalists in the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, broke their personal best or PB.
Colisao competed in the men 109+ weight class. In the snatch portion, he started with 100kg and quickly added more weights for a successful 120kg lift. But he did not stop there. He aimed to surpass his limit and did just that, lifting 126kg in his third and final attempt, to set a new PB in the snatch portion.
He also broke another PB in the clean & jerk portion. After a promising first lift of 120kg, he upped the ante by adding 35kg to break his PB at 155kg. In his third attempt, he tried to ride the momentum with 170kg, but he failed to maintain control, marking his first miss in the entire competition.
“I was going big, but I really wasn’t supposed to,” Colisao said.
Nonetheless, he still took first place with a weight total of 281kg.
“I did great overall,” he said. “I’ve been training especially hard. Seeing this growth is really amazing, and to see the fruit of my labors is amazing. I can’t wait to get into more competitions.”
Lyle Andrew took second place with one successful lift of 75kg in the snatch and 95kg in the clean & jerk for a total weight of 170.
David Barnhouse participated in the snatch portion with his best lift of 105kg. But he failed at 112kg in his third attempt and unexpectedly pulled out of the competition before the start of the clean & jerk portion.
Angel San Nicolas, the only competitor in the men 109 weight class, still gave it his 100% and was rewarded as he also broke his personal best in both portions of the competition.
He recorded a new PB of 125kg in his third and final snatch lift (115kg, 120kg), and a new PB of 165kg in his second lift of the clean & jerk portion (155kg with a missed lift of 170kg) for a total weight of 290kg.
“Although I did not get a 100%, I gave my 100%. I lifted significantly more than I did in the Mini Games.” San Nicolas said.
In the men 89 weight class, Raymond Olopai took first place with a total weight of 180kg, only missing one lift in each portion. In second place was Joseph Pangelinan with a total weight of 170kg, followed by Deion Sabino with a total weight of 169kg, and Aiden Gimed in fourth with a total weight of 120kg.
In the men 67 weight class, Raymond Santos took the top spot with six successful lifts in both portions for a total weight of 212kg.
Women’s division
In the women’s division, Antonette Labausa competed solo in the women 87 weight class and performed flawlessly with six successful lifts for a total weight of 173kg.
Cheyanne Manuel also competed solo in the women 71 weight class and lifted a total of 141kg while Devine Pua slipped away with the first-place finish against Kaya Rasa in the women 59 weight class — both notched a total weight of 93kg.
Youth weightlifters also competed in the event, and they will be featured in the next edition of Variety.
“The main purpose [of the qualifier] is to start getting people qualified for the Micro and Pacific Games,” CNMI Weightlifting President John Davis said. “This is the biggest turnout we ever had —not in numbers but in the quality of lifters.”
Davis also commended Angel San Nicolas “for bringing [in] a lot of grassroot [participants]. They need a lot of work but, hell, it’s their first time.”
Davis added, “This was not a full-blown event. The next one in March should have everything in place — all the bells and whistles like in the Pacific Games so athletes can get the full experience….”
Each athlete must participate in two local competitions to be considered for the national teams that will compete in the Micro and Pacific Games. Competing on Guam, as well as Saipan, will count toward their log. Also, athletes must be registered with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The participating weightlifters pose for a photo after the conclusion of the CNMI Weightlifting qualifier at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Angel San Nicolas preps to complete his 165kg clean & jerk lift during the CNMI Weightlifting qualifier at the Ada gym on Saturday.
Joey Colisao extends for a successful 155kg clean & jerk lift during the CNMI Weightlifting qualifier at the Ada gym on Saturday.
