John Fabuar Ceniza added another medal in the Philippines’ growing tally after snagging a silver medal in the men’s 61-kilogram event Thursday at the International Weightlifting Federation Grand Prix II.
Ceniza lifted a total of 298 kgs behind a 133 kgs snatch and a 165 kgs clean-and-jerk for the country’s fourth medal in two days.
North Korea’s Pak Myong Jin topped the event with a total lift of 305 kgs while also getting another gold medal in the clean-and-jerk with 171 kgs and taking a bronze in the snatch with 134 kgs.
Mohammad Aniq Bin Kasdan of Malaysia got third place with a total lift of 296 kgs while snatching a silver in the clean-and-jerk with a lift of 170 kgs.
Rose Jean Ramos previously plucked three silver medals in the tournament in the women’s 45-kg event last Wednesday.
The Philippines sent seven weightlifters in the IWF Grand Prix II which serves as one of the qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and 19th Asian Games bronze medalist Elreen Ando are expected to go toe-to-toe in the women’s 59-kg event on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Phnom Penh Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Vanessa Sarno and Kristel Macrohon will be seeing action in the women’s 71-kg on Monday.
Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said their main goal is to earn qualifying points for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This tourney is a qualifier for the Paris Olympics next year. Second to the last. But our main goal here is not just winning medals,” Puentevella said.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is our priority and so far, so good. By the end of this Grand Prix, we’ll know our chances and it looks good for now.”
