Ex-lifter's kids triumph in B Pinoy Visayas leg

MANILA, Philippines - Bohol and Cebu City dominated weightlifting with the offspring of former national lifters stamping their class to win the gold medals in record fashions in Day 2 of the Batang Pinoy 2011 Visayas qualifying leg in Dumaguete City.

Elien Rose Perez, daughter of former national weightlifter Ramon Perez, broke her previous best of 35 kgs with a lift of 45 kgs in the snatch before setting a new personal best of 58 kgs in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 103 kgs.

“My father has been my inspiration,” said the 13-year-old Elien Rose, a first year student from Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School and niece of Bohol coach and former 1988 Seoul Olympian Samuel Alegada whose wife, Jana Perez-Alegada, is also a former national weightlifter.

“I want to become a national athlete like him. He kept on reminding us to be proud if we are chosen to represent the country,” added Elien Rose, who also won a gold medal in the POC-PSC National Games for Youth 40kg and a silver in the 2009 National Open.

Her brother, 14-year-old Elie Jr., also topped the 50-kg category. He eclipsed his former record of 40 kilos with a lift of 50 kilos in the snatch before setting a new record of 65 kilos on his second lift in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 115 kilos.

Other gold-medal winners were Angelika Lara in the girls’ 36 kg category; Princess Gale Tirol in the girls’ 40kg; Marife Catingub, a grandchild of former national weightlifting coach Danny Catingub, in the girls’ 48kg and Evangelito Dale Ceniza Jr. in the boys’ 42kg who gave Cebu City its four golds.