Medal haul lifts status of Pinoy weightlifters

MANILA, Philippines — Kristel Macrohon made more special Team Phl’s weightlifting breakthrough in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, coming through with her own golden lift at the close of the weightlifting competitions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

Two days after Hidilyn Diaz’ gold-medal effort in the 55-kilogram class, Macrohan finished on top in 71kg, capping a sparkling two-gold, three-silver and two-bronze effort for the Phl weightlifting team.

It was a nice chapter in Philippine weightlifting history.

Macrohon’s total lifted weight of 216 kgs had her escaping past Vietnam’s Thi Van Nguyen, who registered 214 kgs. Indonesia’s Tsabitha Ramadani took the bronze with 203 kgs. 

“Sobrang saya talaga ‘di ko ini-expect na mananalo ako ngayon,” said Macrohon, joyful with her gold-medal feat that somehow eased the pain of Elreen Ann Ando’s heartbreaking slip in her own category Tuesday.

Macrohon led all throughout the match after lifting 93 kgs. in the snatch before a close duel with the Vietnam silver-medalist in the clean and jerk where the Filipina closed out with a 123.

“Sinasabi sa akin (ni coach) na last na ‘to, bigay mo na lahat. Bahala na kung mabuhat ng kalaban, basta mabuhat mo yung sa ’yo,” she said. 

She did, and a leap of faith were felt by the entire Phl weightlifting team.

Aside from Ando, also delivering silvers were Margaret Colonia (women’s 59kg) and John Fabliar Ceniza (men’s 55kg) while the bronzes came courtesy of Nestor Colonia (men’s 67kg) and Mary Flor Diaz (women’s 45kg).

The Philippines did not win a single medal in the 2017 SEA Games.