TWO down, and possibly, two more to go.
While narrowly missing a podium finish, John Fabuar Ceniza virtually assured himself of a ticket to the Paris Olympics last Tuesday night after placing fourth in the men’s 61kg class of the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.
Coming off a hip injury that prompted him to skip the Asian weightlifting championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last February, Ceniza set a personal total best of 300 kilos, with lifts of 132 and 168 kilos in the snatch and clean-and-jerk, respectively.
He finished one kilo short of tying North Korea’s Pak Myong Jin, who took the bronze medal with a tally of 301 kilos (131-170) behind American Hampton Morris’ 303 (127-176) and reigning Olympic and world champion Li Fabin of China 312 (146-169), who were second and first, respectively.
Another product of Cebu City’s grassroots program, the 26-year-old strongman surpassed his previous combined best of 298 and 165 kilos in the clean-and-jerk in winning a silver medal in both events at the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar last December. He settled for the bronze in the snatch (165).
Currently ranked No. 6 in the IWF Olympic qualification rankings, Ceniza’s performance ensured that he will be in the magic circle of 10 when the IWF confirms the top 10 qualifiers to the Paris Summer Games in the weight class on April 28.
“Masayang-masaya, kahit kagagaling lang sa injury,” the beaming weightlifter said in a TV interview after his stint that solidified his chances of making his Olympic debut in the romantic French capital in July.
He joined Rosegie Ramos, who likewise firmed her grip at an Olympic spot after placing eighth in the women’s 49kg division last Monday in the last Olympic weightlifting qualifying meet.
They joined the elite company of pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Edriel Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, who have all clinched Paris bets.
Ceniza will be the latest Pinoy male weightlifter to compete in the Summer Games after Nestor Colonia, who saw action in men’s -56kg division of the 2012 London Olympiad.
“We are thankful and grateful for John’s performance. He might be our only male lifter in Paris but he’s getting better all the time. If he adds 10 more kilos to his total lift, he will be competitive. Maybe it’s time for the guy to win a medal now,” said weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella from Phuket.
“We would like to thank the PSC, POC, the MVP Sports Foundation, Ayala Land, SM and all our supporters for our stint here,” Puentevella added. “Two down and two more to go.”
Fighting for a third Olympic weightlifting berth last night were Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidylin Diaz and Elreen Ann Ando, who were scheduled to see action in the women’s 59kg competition.
