SMS BAGS 3 GOLDS IN CESAFI WEIGHTLIFTING
Tiukinhoy elated over progress of lifters from SMS Boystown
The University of Cebu (UC) won two gold medals, while guest team Sisters of Mary School-Boystown had three in the boys’ division in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. weightlifting event at the Cebu City Sports Center last March 16.
Joefry Frasco dominated the 49-kilo division, winning the gold medal after lifting a total of 190 kilos. Romeo Benedict, also of UC, settled for the silver after lifting 90 kilos while Novy Sarsua of SMS Boystown settled for the bronze medal with a lift of 70 kilos.
Chrisnel Diamante also won in dominant fashion in the 55kilo division after a total lift of 175 kilos, 70 more than silver medalist Reggie Norte of SMS Boystown. Gabriel Tacuyan got the bronze medal.
In the 61-kilo division, Robert Ponalaon of SMS-Boystown got the gold medal with a total lift of 105, just five more than silver medalist and teammate Bran Ray Patriarca. Allan Matthew Yearnas of UC got the bronze medal.
SMS Boystown Luther Cariñosa and Gio Borgonia also got the gold medals in the 67 and 73 kilo divisions, respectively, to cap a succesful day for the teams. There were no silver and bronze medalists in the division.
Meanwhile, Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, who is also the president of the Cebu Weightlifting Association Inc. (CWAI), was elated with the turnout of the the league’s first weightlifting tournament.
“What was exciting and awesome were the number of potential lifters and the interested lifters who participated,” he said.
The University of San Carlos had two participants, UC had nine and guest team SMS Boystown had 36.
“There could have been more boys but some of them had activities in schools,” said Tiukinhoy.
SMS Boystown is the recipient of the grassroots program of CWAI, which also conducted refresher courses for coaches.
“The CWAI member coaches were the ones acting as coaches. We had 10 of them volunteering as trainers in Boystown. The boys in Boystown have great potential because of their discipline, good sleep, food and most especially their character and good moral upbringing in the school,” he said. “We at CWAI would like these boys to finish their education through weightlifting.”