THREE young weightlifters are putting in the work with multi-gold medalist Angel San Nicolas as they train every day at the GetFitCNMI gym.
The three “rising stars” are 7th grader Jaden Andrew, 10th grader Duane Danford and NMC freshman Anniegail Manuel. They have been training for a little over a year, but are already pushing the numbers and are getting close to the records set by the more experienced local weightlifters.
“I’m thinking about the big picture, not the ‘now’ picture,” said San Nicolas. “In a few years from now, these kids will be the best. Years may sound long, but if you go by the calendar, it’s nothing.”
San Nicolas is returning to the Philippines to resume his training there, and this time he plans to bring the three young athletes with him.
San Nicolas believes they can already compete in interscholastic competitions for high school students.
He also wants to eliminate the misconception that lifting weights at a young age could stunt their growth. “I completely and absolutely disagree,” San Nicolas said. “They need to be hungry and start early to be the best.”
Fifteen-year-old MHS student Duane Danford got into weightlifting through his older brother David.
So far, Danford has recorded a clean & jerk of 77 kilos, and a snatch of 61 kilos. “The best part about weightlifting is pushing myself,” he said. “It’s really fun, especially because I do it with my friends.”
Twelve-year-old Jaden Andrew is a second-generation weightlifter whose uncle, John Mario, was the CNMI weightlifting coach in 2014 and whose late aunt was the first female weightlifter from Palau.
He loves the physicality of the sport and the challenge of pushing himself.
“Coach Angel’s training is tough but it helps me get better — he always strives for us to be better,” Andrew said.
As for 17-year-old Anniegail Manuel, she said, “I came here for the wrong reasons but now I want to compete.” So far, she has recorded a snatch of 66 kilos and a clean & jerk of 81 kilos.
She’s just getting started.
Duane Danford and Anniegail Manuel participate in a training session at the GetFitCNMI gym.
Jaden Andrew practices his snatch during a training session at the GetFitCNMI gym.
