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Weightlifters, Rangamar recognized
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Posted on Feb 21 2019
From left, Rodrigo Ada, Angel San Nicolas, Joey Tudela, Antonette Labausa, and Bonnie Cruz of weightlifting pose for a photo after receiving the Team of the Year award during the 2018 NMSA Tan Siu Lin Foundation Annual Sports Banquet last night at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The CNMI averted a dismal showing in the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap, thanks to the weightlifting team assembled by its president John Davis.
The squad, which was composed of Rodrigo Ada, Antonette Labausa, Bonnie Cruz, Joey Tudela, and Angel San Nicolas, handed the Commonwealth 15 medals—the most by any CNMI team in last year’s competition—giving the Commonwealth the push in the final week of the quadrennial event. The five weightlifters combined for six gold medals, seven silvers, and three bronzes to save the day for Team Marianas.
With their success in Yap, the Commonwealth’s weightlifting crew was the hands down winner of the Team of the Year award.
“We’ve done this without getting support,” Davis said. “The team and our group have proven ourselves. This (winning in the Micro Games) proves the big potential of the sport here and we just have to get more people involved so we can continue this.”
The weighlifting team was recognized last night during the 2018 NMSA/Tan Siu Lin Foundation Annual Sports Banquet held at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, joining other team and individual awardees.
Also included on the honor roll was Elias Rangamar, who was named Coach of the Year—his fourth award after earning back-to-back in 2008 and 2009 and getting his first in 2004.
Rangamar
Rangamar had his hands full last season, as besides helping take care of the Oleai Sports Complex and running local tournaments, he coached both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the athletics squad in the Micro Games.
Under the veteran coach’s guidance, the CNMI won 13 medals in athletics—two golds, five silvers, and six bronzes.
“I would like to share this award to all my athletes—past and present. They are the ones who keep on pushing me, as I try my best to share what I know in sports and help them become better athletes. I learned a lot from every athlete I coached. I also want to thank my family for supporting me in my passion,” said the CNMI Sports Hall of Famer.
