Powerlifters lift 8 golds in Asian tiff

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, led by Anita Koykka, carted off eight gold medals, 17 silvers and a bronze along with a slew of world (four), Asian (11) and national (23) records from the 2012 Asian Powerlifting Championships in Udaipur, India recently.

Competing against rivals 20 or 30 years younger, Koykka defied the odds by snaring one gold and three silvers in the tough 52 kg Open category, setting five new Masters world marks and seven continental norms while copping the Open Best Lifter (MVP) runner-up plum in the process.

Koykka lifted 90 kgs on her third attempt to win the gold in bench press in record fashion, a feat she followed up with second-place performances in deadlift (165 kgs) and squat (155kgs) for a 410kg total that also broke her own world mark.

Koykka’s effort was complemented by medal-winning lifts by Betina Bordeos (2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze, and 1 Asian record in 57kg Juniors) Regie Ramirez (4 golds, 3 Asian records in 53kg Juniors), John Castelar (1 silver in 74kg Sub-Juniors), Clark Cruz (1 gold, 3 silvers in 93kg Sub-Juniors), delegation head Ramon Debuque (1 silver in 93kg Master II) and his son Raymond Debuque (4 silvers in 120+ kg Junior).

Wowing the crowd with her strong lifts and charm, the 21-year-old Bordeos topped the deadlift competition with an Asian record lift of 167.5kg, and took the gold in total lift as well (385kg).

Ramirez, 19, swept all the golds in his category, where compatriot Raph Hidalgo seized the four silvers to make it a 1-2 finish for Team Phl.