Cebuano weightlifters showcased their might in the ongoing 6-in-1 National Weightlifting Championships at the SM Seaside City Cebu by harvesting four gold medals courtesy of lifters from the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and Team Cebu City.
Leading the Cebuanos was Romeo Benedict Monisit of UC, who ruled the 37-kilogram youth division and the 37kg secondary boy’s division. Christnel Jay Diamante, Marjun Agad, and Evangelito Dale Cañiza added more golds after winning in the youth 49kg, 55kg secondary boys, and the 55kg junior divisions, respectively.
Other winning lifters in the first two days of competition were Ryan Ebrada (youth 43kg) of Samson Weightlifting team of Zamboanga City, his teammate April Durango (30kg girl’s youth) Albert Ian Delos Santos of the University of Zamboanga (43kg secondary boys), Angono, Rizal’s Charisse Macawili (40kg youth and 40kg secondary girls’ divisions), Arvin Macawili (49kg secondary boys), Mampang, Zamboanga’s Desiree Jane Garcia (35kg youth and 35kg secondary girl’s division), Rowel Garcia (55kg open collegiate division), and Dasmariñas, Cavite’s John Paul Rivera (55kg youth division).
On Wednesday, Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will compete in the 59kg division along with fellow Philippine team members.
BILLETING ISSUES
The first major weightlifting competition in Cebu was met with criticism when a Facebook post from one of the coaches of the out-of-town participants complained about the poor billeting quarters they have.
Cathy Claire Danao Jaluag in her Facebook post complained about the poor billeting quarters in the gymnasium of the Cebu City Sports Institute, likening it to an ‘evacuation center.’
However, the issue was already solved, according to Philippine Weightlifters Association Inc. (PWAI) Chairman Mark Aliño. He said it was all because of poor coordination.
“The budget released by PSC, the billeting of the athletes are located at schools but the classes are still ongoing so we asked the Cebu City Sports Commission to provide us a billeting quarter for the out-of-town participants. They provided us the gymnasium in Sawang Calero,” he said. “We would like to apologize because at first, we did not have enough electric fans at the billeting quarters because of poor coordination. But right now it is already corrected. We already talked to the complainant, who is one of our officials in the competition.”