JOEY Mendiola Colisao, the 20-year-old Pacific Mini Games gold medalist who topped the 109+kg category of the 2022 rankings of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation, will head to Australia on March 25 to train for a week with the Australian Institute of Sports.
“I’m excited to train in Australia,” he said. “It has a proper facility to train for weightlifting which is not available on island.”
Colisao, who is currently training at Latte Built, said he has always loved weightlifting and is encouraging community members to try the sport.
“We are looking for more weightlifters. This sport is not very popular but please give it a chance and give it a try. It’s a small community we have here, and we can be recognized in this sport,” he added.
Colisao said he is grateful for the support of his family, friends and trainers.
“I am doing this for them and for the CNMI. I couldn’t have made it without their support. I am grateful for them for believing in me,” he added.
He said he is proud to represent the CNMI in regional and international weightlifting competitions.
Aside from weightlifting, Colisao is also into art, especially painting.
He believes that in order to succeed in anything we must believe in ourselves and do our best.
Joey Colisao
Joey Colisao in action during the Pacific Mini Games hosted by Saipan in June 2022.
