Colonia snatches 2 Asian Championship golds

MANILA, Philippines - Atoning for his Asian Games debacle, Filipino Nestor Colonia came through with a historic two-gold medal in the 45th Men’s Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand Sunday night.

Competing in the 56-kg event, Colonia made golden lifts of 153kgs in the clean and jerk and 274kgs in total while snaring the silver in the snatch with 121kgs.

Left in the wake of the Zamboangueño’s torrid performance were rivals from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei.

Thai Kruaithong Sinphet took the gold in snatch with 122 but settled for the bronze in jerk (146kgs) and total (268kgs). Vietnamese Tran Le Quoc Toan was third in snatch (120kgs) and second in both jerk (152) and total (272 kgs).

It was a big redemption for Colonia, whose last stint in a Continental tourney ended in disaster. Competing with a near empty stomach in the Incheon Asian Games, Colonia failed to make a lift on his three tries at 120kgs.

But the 23-year-old Colonia did not give up a and trained harder. Now he’s the new toast of Asia.

“Thank you to all for helping me when I’m down,” said Colonia, particularly citing coach Alfonsito Aldaneta, Philippine Weightlifting Association executive Elbert Atilano, and teammate Hidilyn Diaz.

“History! First Gold medal in Asian Senior Weightlifting Championship for Phillippines. So proud of you, Nestor! God has bigger plan for you. Thank you Lord God,” Diaz said.

Diaz was slated to see action in the women’s 53k class last night.