Limes prevails in Marianas Cup tourney

Jason Limes topped the 109-kg-and-over weight class of the 2021 Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament held last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Jason Limes topped the 109-kg-and-over weight class of the 2021 Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament held last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Limes prevailed in his class in the heavyweight division with a total lift of 222 kg over Tristan Muña who totaled 182.

In the snatch, Limes earned a good lift at 92 kg before moving on to 97 kg. Limes lifted 97 kg almost effortlessly but failed at his attempt to snatch 100 kg.

Immediately after positioning himself over the barbell loaded with his first set of weights, Limes’ straight face showed he was deep in concentration and he meant business.

Limes came back for the clean and jerk and his solemn expression did not change. He managed to get good lifts in the 120 kg and 125 kg but, again, failed in the third round at 130 kg.

Limes’ sole competitor, Muña, cruised through the snatch, making lifts in the 70 kg, 75 kg, and lastly in the 80 kg.

Muña kept the same pattern in the clean and jerk, perfecting all three rounds by making lifts in the 90 kg, 95 kg, and finally the 102 kg.

Meanwhile, in the 109 kg class, David Barnhouse remains the reigning champ with a total lift of 253 kg. The defending champ topped his only challenger, Joey Calisao, who totaled 215 kg.

In the snatch, Barnhouse started off strong, making lifts of 111 kg and 116 kg and barely breaking a sweat. He struggled in the third round and failed at his attempt at 121 kg.

In the clean and jerk, Barnhouse wowed the crowd with lifts at 130 kg and 137 kg before falling short at 145 kg.

His competitor, Calisao, coasted through the snatch, making lifts of 85 kg, 90 kg, and finally 95 kg.

Calisao also romped through the clean and jerk, with lifts of 110 kg, 114 kg, and last at 120 kg.

Also topping his weight class of 96 kg was Leonard E. Apelo. In the snatch, Apelo failed at his first attempt at 115 kg but redeemed himself in the second round before failing, again, at his attempt to lift 120 kg.

Apelo moved on to the clean and jerk where he made a lift of 145 kg before failing both attempts at 150kg.

In a short interview, Northern Marianas Bodybuilding and Physique Federation president John Davis said the second Marianas Cup Tournament turned out to be a great success and saw so much improvement.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Davis said he was pleased with the turnout and the support of those who came out to watch.

Davis said for the next weightlifting events to come, he hopes to see even more support for the sport from the local community.