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CNMI weightlifters deliver
CNMI weightlifters stood out in the Guam Weightlifting Open Championship 2019 held last Saturday at the Chamorri CrossFit Gym in Tamuning.
Micronesian Games gold medalist Antonette Labausa led the visiting team’s outstanding showing in the annual tournament after recording the best weight total out of the 17 women weightlifters in the field. She had 68 kilos in the snatch and 91 kgs in the clean and jerk for a weight total of 159 kg in the 81-kg weight class.
Despite coming out on top of the entire women’s division, Labausa believes she needs to work harder in training to improve her lifts, especially now that they are preparing for the 2019 Pacific Games.
“The Guam tournament was fun although I was not satisfied with my results. I am always looking to improve my numbers in each competition. I actually did better in the Micronesian Games, but you know, every competition is different,” said Labausa, who thanked the Guam Weightlifting Federation for the invites.
“I am glad Guam hosts competitions that we get to go to and are able to test our strength. The next competition we are preparing for is the Pacific Games in Samoa in about six months and I hope to put out better numbers there,” she added.
Also earning top honors in last weekend’s event was Angel San Nicolas, who had 115 kg in snatch and 150 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 265. The 2017 NMSA Male Athlete of the Year ruled the 96-kg weight class.
Joining San Nicolas in the podium was David Barnhouse, who finished third (using Sinclair Coefficient in ranking) after lifts of 125 kg (snatch) and 151 (clean and jerk).
Both Barnhouse and San Nicolas are aiming to represent the CNMI in the Pacific Games in Apia this summer with the former planning to compete from the 109+ kg to a lower weight class.
The Pacific Games will run from July 7 to 20 with weightlifting competitions scheduled at the Faleata Gymnasium 1 from July 9 to 13. The Commonwealth is counting on the islands’ weightlifters after they delivered the most medals (15) by any CNMI team in the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap.
