By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE CNMI continues to make international waves as Leowell Cristobal earned two separate medals — a bronze in the clean and jerk at the 2026 IWF Universal Cup and a silver medal at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships — in the highly competitive 65 kg weight class on Tuesday in Apia, Samoa.
Competing against a deep field of 18 athletes, the 27-year-old CNMI weightlifter demonstrated remarkable resilience, finishing with a 108 kg snatch and a 138 kg clean and jerk, for a total lift of 246 kg.
His performance earned him a bronze medal in the clean and jerk at the Universal Cup and a silver medal for his total in the Oceania Championships.
While the podium finishes marked a triumph for the Northern Marianas, the journey to Samoa was shaped by personal and emotional challenges. The competition took place as the CNMI navigated the aftermath of a recent typhoon, a factor that weighed heavily on Cristobal’s mind.
“While this wasn’t my best performance, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent the Marianas and bring home some hardware,” Cristobal said. “This was one of the more emotional competitions of my career. Leading up to the event, I was concerned about my friends and family back home during the typhoon.”
Despite the distractions, Cristobal said his focus remained sharp when it mattered most.
“I gave this competition everything I had and dedicate this performance to everyone in the Marianas,” he said.
When asked about the evolution of his training, Cristobal noted that his routine has become more refined to meet the demands of international competition, with a greater focus on precision.
The bronze and silver medals serve as a momentum builder for the CNMI standout. Teammate Aiden Gimed also competed in the Oceania Youth and Oceania Junior categories, aiming to follow Cristobal’s success.
Cristobal has already set his sights on the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships scheduled for November. Participation would represent another historic step for the lifter, who has consistently raised the bar for CNMI weightlifters.
Following his podium finish, Cristobal acknowledged those who supported him. He extended a special Mother’s Day greeting to his mother, Ana Marie, and his sister, Liezel.
“I would like to thank my friends and family for supporting me, the CNMI Weightlifting Federation for allowing me to represent, coach Jackie for her guidance, and coach Henry and Team Fiji for helping me out at the competition,” he said.
With the 2026 season in full swing, Cristobal not only brought home hardware but also showcased the resilience of the CNMI as they recover from Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
The results of Aiden Gimed will be published in the next edition of Variety.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
