Labausa strikes gold, Tudela silver in Guam

Antonette Labausa, right, and Joseph “Joey” Tudela are all smiles after bagging gold and silver, respectively, in the 2022 Guam Weightlifting Open Championships held last March 26 at the Fudoshin Fitness Center in Tamuning, Guam. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

CNMI National Weightlifting Team members Antonette Labausa and Joseph “Joey” Tudela won gold and silver, respectively, in the 2022 Guam Weightlifting Open Championships held last March 26 at the Fudoshin Fitness Center in Tamuning, Guam.

Labausa struck gold in the women’s 76kg division after a lift of 74 kg in the snatch and a 93 kg lift in the clean and jerk for a total of 167 kg. Tudela, meanwhile, settled for the silver medal in the men’s 89kg category with a 90 kg snatch and a 100 kg clean and jerk for a total of 190 kg.

After more than a year of no competition, Labausa said she’s just happy to be back lifting with something at stake again.

“I think that this was a good meet to feel the competition feeling again that I haven’t felt in over a year. I did my best that day to my capability and I am proud of that. I don’t consider it my best performance but I enjoyed myself and when things don’t go as planned on the platform—I am glad to have got on the board to total. I was the only one in my weight class but you still have to put up a total. So, I was trying to push myself but again, it didn’t go according to plan but that is okay,” she said.

Labausa said with the 2022 Guam Weightlifting Open now in the rearview mirror, she and the rest of the CNMI National Weightlifting Team for the Mini Games are now setting their sights on the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games set this coming June.

“The Mini Games will definitely be a different caliber with other Oceania countries who have very hardworking and talented lifters. I do feel a little bit more pressure. However, all I can ask of myself is to do my best and to enjoy every moment. You know it’s difficult to be an athlete, working full-time, and just dealing with life’s demands in general, so for all the athletes in the CNMI who are feeling tired but giving their all toward this last stretch before the Mini Games, I’m proud of you and I am excited to see all of our hard work come to life in June.”

Labausa also extended her thanks to her support group. “I am grateful to have such a supportive partner, along with my family, and friends. Every win or loss is dedicated to them.”

Tudela, for his part, said the 2022 Guam Weightlifting Open Championships is just an opportunity to improve in the sport as he and his teammates ramp up for the Mini Games competition.

“Thoughts on the win are to just be more consistent with heavier lifts. Keep training and try to increase how much weight I can lift. Felt good to dust the rust off and step back on the platform after not competing for two to three years due to COVID-19,” he said.

In all, Labausa and Tudela were among 35 weightlifters from seven different weightlifting clubs that competed in the 2022 Guam Weightlifting Open Championships.

In related news, CNMI Weightlifting is happy to announce that national weightlifting coach and athlete David Barnhouse has taken the next step in his journey to becoming the premier weightlifting coach in the Commonwealth by earning the USA Weightlifting Level 2 coaching certification.