Promotion of weightlifting in CNMI eyed

Ray Santos is seen in this file photo competing in the 2014 Micronesian Games. (Contributed Photo)

CNMI weightlifters are hoping an upcoming tournament will help bring awareness of the sport to the community so they could attract more athletes and sponsors.

Veteran lifters David Barnhouse Jr., Ray Santos, and Angel San Nicolas will be competing in the tournament set on Oct. 7 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. The tournament begins with a weigh-in at 8am, while competition starts at 10am with Olympic style lifts of Snatch, and the Clean and Jerk. Tournament fee is only $5 for each competitor, while organizers are inviting the public to watch the event, which is free admission.

Barnhouse will be competing in the 105kg category with Santos at 62kg and San Nicolas at the 94kg weight division. The three are training separately.

“We currently have no permanent place to train. Either we train at home or at Latte Built. We follow our own program and watch some of the techniques through YouTube,” said Barnhouse, who won a gold medal in the 2014 Pohnpei Micronesian Games.

“We don’t have a coach to help us with the training. Currently, we’re only four since some of the people changed their minds and stopped training,” added Barnhouse, whose best lifts were 137kg in the Snatch, and 165kg in the Clean and Jerk

Santos added they hope to encourage more people to try weightlifting with next month’s tournament. “Some people are intimidated in trying weightlifting. Every sport is hard that’s why you need to learn and train, which would help you to get better.”

“Hopefully, this tournament would open the door for others to join us. The main goal is to promote our sport,” added Santos, who settled for a silver medal in the last Micro Games.

“Our biggest challenge right now is a place to train and equipment. If we get our own place, a lot of people would be more interested. Weightlifting equipment is also not that expensive,” said Barnhouse.

“We are really hoping to get the youth involved. That’s our target since we don’t want to let the sport die. We want others, especially the youth, to be the next generation that would replace us. We’re willing to pass on what we have learned,” added San Nicolas.

Leo Apelo is another CNMI weightlifter who finished second in the 85kg division in Pohnpei with lifts of 141kg in the Clean and Jerk, and 100kg in the Snatch. His best records are 116kg in the Snatch, and 150kg in the Clea and Jerk. Santos’ best lifts a 110kg in the Snatch, and 136kg in the Clean and Jerk, while San Nicolas had 113kg and 139kg. Their last tournament was the Guam Open in January this year and they each placed first in their weight classes. The three are also expected to represent the CNMI in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu this December.