Reboton wins 3 bronze medals in Denmark
FILIPINO powerlifter Joyce Gail Reboton claimed three bronze medals in the women’s 76-kg open category and set a new Asian record at the World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Denmark held on Saturday, November 19.
The 30-year-old Reboton raised 150 kilograms in the bench press to erase her own Asian record of 147.5 kgs set at the World Games last July.
She, however, finished sixth in the category.
Reboton then lifted 225 kg in the squat in her first attempt to finish third and win the bronze medal.
She copped another bronze after lifting 205 kgs in deadlift. She tried to match the Asian record of 212.5 kgs. She also competed at the World Games but failed.
She bagged her third medal in the meet after placing third in the overall tally.
Reboton is the first Filipino powerlifter to win medals in the overall category in both the World Equipped Championships and World Classic Championships where she won a bronze last year in Sweden.
Reboton, her coach Willord Capulong, and the rest of her team are now in Dubai where she looks to defend her title in the 76-kg class at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships slated from December 1 to 7.
Prior to joining the event in Denmark, Reboton stamped her class in the Southeast Asian Cup in Malaysia where she bagged four gold medals last September.
In the World Games last July, Reboton finished ninth in the heavyweight finals with 99.16 points from her 242.50 kgs in squat, 147.50 kgs in bench press and 212.5 kgs in deadlift.
Reboton continues to shine in the international powerlifting scene despite her team’s difficulty in raising funds for her travels.
“My journey hasn’t been easy. It’s hard to be a powerlifter here in the country. I can say that because not all our trips or competitions outside the country are funded,” said Reboton in a previous interview with The Manila Times, where she also expressed her gratitude to Powerlifting Association of the Philippines and Equinox Athlete Management Philippines for their support to her and her teammates.
“Imagine having to work extra because I have a family to feed. I’m a breadwinner and my passion for this sport is so high that even though me and my coach are on a ‘pay your own’ setup, we’re still pushing through so we can represent the country,” shared Reboton, who sidelines as an online powerlifting coach and makes coffee and other beverages to help fund her training and make end’s meet for her family.