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Santos, Colisao, Andrew make Oceania Top 10
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Posted on Jan 06 2023
Joey Colisao, left, and Ray Santos in action during the weightlifting competition of the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES/MARK RABAGO)
Ray Santos, Joey Colisao, and Lyle Andrew made it to the 2022 Top 10 rankings of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation.
CNMI Weightlifting president John Davis said Santos is represented in two weight categories.
He is ranked No. 2 in the seniors 55 kg with a best total of 207 kg. He is also No. 9 in the 61-kg weight category with a total of 205 kg.
Colisao is No. 1 in the juniors +109 weight category with a total of 275 kg. Andrews is ranked No. 5 in the same group with a total of 136 kg.
“Congratulations to the CNMI weightlifters that made the Top 10 ranking for Oceania in their respective senior and junior weight categories. Little by little, step by step CNMI weightlifting will make a serious impact in the Marianas, Oceania, and the Pacific. Maybe not today…but someday. Thank you for everyone’s support,” said Davis.
Colisao said making it to No. 1 in his weight category for the entire Oceania region was a dream come true.
“I’ve worked hard to get to this point and I won’t be stopping, I’m aiming to climb the ranks even more and give it my all. I’m sure my younger self would be ecstatic about this and I am proud that I’ve come this far. I still have a lot to learn and achieve but this is one big step toward an ultimate goal,” the 20-year-old said.
Colisao dedicated his accomplishment to his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and to himself.
“They all helped me grow as a person and an athlete. I don’t know what I would do without them.”
Competing in the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022, Colisao completed all six of his lifts in the snatch portion of the +109-kg division that bagged him the gold medal in his weight class.
For his part, Andrew was caught by surprise making it to the Top 10 of the juniors +109 weight category.
“I’d say that this achievement is definitely surprising and I’d like to dedicate this achievement to my team and my coach Angel San Nicolas.”
The recent Northern Marianas College graduate competed in the discus event of the 2022 Mini Games.
Santos won three gold medals in the quadrennial event when the 31-year-old Koblerville Elementary School special education teacher topped the snatch, clean and jerk, and overall competitions of the 55-kg class.
