By Bohol Island News Staff | 10:03 PM December 03, 2019
The Philippines missed out on two medals in Monday’s women’s (49 kg) and men’s (61 kg) weightlifting action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Elien Rose Perez, a criminology student at University of Bohol, fell short of a podium finish, placing 4th with 171 kg, just 1 kg below bronze medalist Thi Quyen Ngo of Vietnam.
Seventeen-year-old Aisah Windy of Indonesia ran away with the gold and registered new Youth World records lifting 86 kg in snatch and 104 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 190.
Myanmar’s Phyo Pyae Pyae took the silver lifting a total of 180 kg.
READ: Know some of the Boholano athletes competing in SEA Games
In men’s 61 kg weightlifting division, twenty-year-old Dave Lloyd Zamora Pacaldo of Tagbilaran City made a total lift of 250 kilograms.
Pacaldo powered through in his final attempt in the clean and jerk lifting 140 kg but not enough to get a podium.
National weightlifting mentor Agustin Antonio said that he expected the results because it was first time for the Boholano lifters in SEA Games.
“Still, I’m very happy that they showed they’re capable,” Antonio said.
“We’re still teaching them how to manage their jitters,” he added.
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Hidilyn Diaz delivered the first gold for the weightlifting team on Monday, winning her first SEA Games medal with ease in the 55-kg event the night before.
Pacaldo, a first year Criminology student at BIT-International College in Tagbilaran, said that it was an honor to represent the country.
“To represent your country is an Honor and a great experience,” he posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
