Cebu’s pride John Ceniza to see action first tonight: Filipino lifters start medal quest at Olympics

CEBU, Philippines — One of the two Cebuanos lifters representing the Philippines at the Paris Olympics 2024 will take centerstage today (Wednesday, August 7).

John Febuar Ceniza, 26, will make his debut in the grandest sports show on the planet via the men’s weightlifting 61kg category that will start at 9 p.m.

The pride of Barangay Pasil, Cebu City earned a spot to the quadrennial games on account of his solid performance at the 2024 IWF World Cup in Thailand last April where he finished fourth with a total lift of 300kg following a 132kg from snatch and 168kg in clean and jerk.

In his medal quest, the two-time SEA Games silver medallist is up against a slew of strong contenders that includes Fabin Li of China, Hampton Miller Morris of the United States, Sergio Massidda of Italy, Eko Yuli Irawan of Indonesia, and Theerapong Silachai of Thailand.

Also in the mix are Kaimauri Erati of Kiribati, Ivan Petkov of Bulgaria, Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan of Malaysia, Shota Mishvelidze of Georgia, Vinh van Trinh of Vietnam, and Morea Baru of Papua New Guinea.

Ceniza’s townmate Elreen Ann Ando will see action next on Thursday (August 8) in the women’s 59kg division.

It will be Ando’s second tour of duty in the Olympics.

The Barangay Carreta-native Ando competed in the 2020 Summer Games three years ago in Tokyo where she placed seventh overall with a personal best lift of 222kg.

On Saturday dawn, August 10, it’s Vanessa Sarno’s turn to carry the weight for the country as the 20-year-old Boholana athlete makes her maiden appearance in the Olympics through the women’s 71kg class. — (FREEMAN)