Leowell Cristobal smiles during a successful lift in the clean & jerk in the senior men’s 67kg category of the 2024 Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. The event was held on Feb. 17-25.
LEOWELL Cristobal was the third CNMI athlete to win a medal in the 2024 Oceania Senior, Junior and Youth Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, placing third in his weight category.
Competing in the senior men’s 67kg category, Cristobal lifted a snatch of 100kg and a clean & jerk of 137kg for a total weight of 237kg. He also set a new personal best record with a 100kg snatch lift and total weight of 237kg.
“The competition atmosphere was electric, and I was having fun out there,” Cristobal said. He added that his participation in the IWF Grand Prix in Qatar, which was held in December, pushed him to further improve and better prepare for the Oceania championships.
When asked what’s next for him, he said: “If given the opportunity, the Micro Games in June will be the next event I’ll be preparing for.”
Cristobal thanked his family and friends for cheering him on. “Thank you, too, to the CNMI Weightlifting Federation for allowing me to compete and represent the CNMI. I also want to thank Angel San Nicolas for helping me throughout my competition, making sure I was ready to hit my lifts on the stage, and Aiden Gimed for pushing me in training.”
He added, “Lastly, I’d like to extend early birthday wishes to my dad, Leonardo Cristobal Sr., and happy anniversary to my parents!”
Also winning medals in New Zealand were CNMI weightlifters Aiden Gimed (silver) and Antonette Labausa (bronze).
