Manuel siblings top weight classes

Kiien Manuel lifted a total of 125 kg in the 96-kg weight class of the Northern Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

Weights flew as 20 athletes took the spotlight Saturday morning to compete in the Northern Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, with siblings Anniegail, Cheyanne, and Kiien Manuel topping their respective weight classes. 

Cheyanne, a 21-year-old, is the eldest, and was the lone competitor of the 71-kg weight class; while Anniegail just turned 18 and topped the 64-kg class; and their brother Kiien, is 12 and was the lone competitor of the 96-kg weight class.

Cheyanne Manuel lifted a total of 141 kg in her 71-kg division in the Northern Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

In Anniegail’s 64-kg weight class, it was a battle between her and Katie Camacho. Manuel topped it with a 141-kg total weight lifted, while Camacho lifted a total of 72 kg.

For the snatch lift, Anniegail’s successful attempts were 55 kg and 64 kg. She failed the third attempt of 65 kg. In the clean and jerk lift, she successfully lifted 75 and 80 kg, while she tried to go for 85 kg but didn’t complete it.

Camacho’s numbers for the snatch were 25 kg, 28 kg, and 32 kg, while she lifted 30 kg, 35 kg, and 40 kg for the clean and jerk.

Anniegail Manuel topped her 64-kg division with a total weight lifted of 141 kg in the Northern Marianas Cup Weightlifting Tournament last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (LEIGH GASES)

For Cheyanne’s 71-kg weight class, she lifted a total of 141 kg. Her successful snatch lifts were 55 kg and 64 kg, while she failed a 69-kg attempt. Her clean and jerk successful attempts were 70 kg and 77 kg, while she failed a 82-kg lift.

Meanwhile, Kiien joined the 96-kg weight class and totaled 125 kg after completing all six lift attempts. For his snatch, he recorded 45 kg, 50 kg, and 55 kg, while his clean and jerk attempts were 65 kg, 77 kg, and 70 kg.

For the women’s 87-kg weight class, Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022 gold medalist Antonette Labausa was the lone competitor and successfully completed all six of her lifts for a total of 173 kg. Her snatch lifts were 68 kg, 71 kg, and 74 kg, while her clean and jerk lifts were 88 kg, 92 kg, and 99 kg.

The women’s 59-kg had Devine Pua and Kaya Rasa, with both lifting a total of 93 kg. Pua’s snatch lifts were 35 kg, 38 kg, and 42 kg, while her clean and jerk lifts were 45 kg and 51 kg. She failed to pull 56 kg. 

Rasa’s completed lifts for the snatch were 35 kg and 38 kg, while her clean and jerk lifts were 45 kg, 50 kg, and 55 kg.

Anniegail, who has been weightlifting for a year, said after the competition, “it could’ve been better. I didn’t like that I missed both of my last lifts in the snatch and clean and jerk, but I’ll come back better hopefully. Nothing to be proud of, just living up to expectations.” 

Cheyanne, who was part of the CNMI National Weightlifting Team during the Mini Games, said “I wasn’t really happy with my performance, but we have another competition in February and hopefully by then we can up our numbers. There was a bit of a mix up but I’m just looking forward to the next one. But all in all, I’m really thankful for my coach and teammates. It’s been a fun experience.” 

They have made weightlifting their family’s sport of choice, as Cheyanne said she joined weightlifting first, then told her sister to join. Her brother wanted to join them shortly after that.

Kiien, who just started two months ago, was already pulling his personal bests—with both lifts his best so far. In this competition, he completed all lifts, and said that he felt good that he made no mistakes.

A total of 10 male and 10 female joined in either the youth, junior, and senior divisions of the snatch and clean and jerk lifts. This competition is one of several qualifying events for selection of the 2023 CNMI Weightlifting National Team. 

CNMI Weightlifting Federation president John Davis said after, “The main purpose of doing this today was to get people to qualify for the Micronesia Games and the Pacific Games this year. We had a good turnout, the biggest turnout we’ve ever had—not in numbers, but in the quality of lifters… It’s a good turnout for athletes and spectators.” 

To be considered for the national weightlifting team for the Micronesian Games or the Pacific Games, each athlete would have to compete in two qualifying events.

While this is considered one qualifier event, there were no medals or awards for the top in their weight class. The other qualifying event that athletes are able to join is the Guam weightlifting competition this February and/or the next weightlifting competition in the CNMI in March.

“This was not a full-blown event. The next one in March, we should have everything in place that is not here and we’re going to have all the bells and whistles just like we did at the [2022 Pacific Mini Games, so that our athletes can get the full experience before they show up at one of the [2023] Games and don’t know what they’re doing,” said Davis.

Results of the men’s division will come out in the next editions of Saipan Tribune.