Young Pinoy lifters bag world competition medals

Four young powerlifters excitedly left the country end of August for the 2011 World Junior & Sub-Junior Powerlifting Championships in Moose Jaw, Canada. A total of 28 countries and 294 athletes participated, with heavy competition coming from the USA, Russia, Kazakhstan, Finland, and Ukraine. The team — composed of Raymond Debuque, Lucas Lorenzo, Regie Ramirez, and Clark Cruz — returned triumphant with one gold and three silver medals. All four are the reigning 2011 Philippine National Open Champions in their weight categories.

This group of young Hercules are all second-generation Philippine Powerlifting team members.  Debuque of the University of the Philippines is the son of former RP strongest man and two-time Asian Open gold medalist Ramon Debuque. Lorenzo of Ateneo de Manila is the nephew of the former Asian Open Bench Press record holder Marco Lorenzo. Ramirez, who just graduated from Valencia High School in Ormoc City, is the nephew of current world record-holder and new all-time pound-for-pound strongest Filipina, Anita Koykka. Cruz from De La Salle Zobel is the son of many-time Asian champion and the Philippines’ all-time strongest man in powerlifting, Eddie Torres.

Naturally, they have a powerhouse of coaches. Ramirez is coached by former world champion Tony Koykka who is Anita’s husband. Cruz and Lorenzo are coached by Torres, while the younger Debuque is coached by his father Ramon.

The group trooped to Canada with coach and head of delegation, Eddie Torres, and assistant coach Allan Paje. The Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, Dewfoam, and Pancake House provided the support to ensure the four powerlifters the chance to compete for the first time overseas.

“Powerlifting competitions take place between lifters in categories defined by sex, bodyweight, and age. Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift are the three events in a competition. Each competitor is allowed three attempts. The lifter’s best valid attempt on each event counts towards his competition total. If two or more lifters achieve the same total, the lighter lifter ranks above the heavier lifter. The lifter with the highest total is declared the champion,” Coach Eddie Torres excitedly oriented us. He also shared the competition highlights below.

Raymond Debuque, 18 years old with 11 Philippine records (five junior, five sub-junior, one open), competed in the 105kg class. He got the Philippine team’s first gold in Squat (650 pounds) and third silver medal.

Before his first attempt, Debuque said, “I am slightly nervous because my competitor is lifting the same weight, makes it tougher for me if he gets it.” That, of course, quickly changed to ecstasy after the win as he blurted out,  “I was very, very happy because this is mine (clutching his gold) …. I know I made my country proud.”

In Squat, Debuque opened with 600 pounds in the first round, which was the highest successful lift in that round, followed by Pavel Chertkov (595 pounds) of Russia. While the Russian lifted 617 pounds in the second round, Debuque squatted 628 pounds to regain the lead. Guapulema of Ecuador came back in the third round to lift 650 pounds, again making Debuque lose the lead.

On his third attempt, Debuque requested for 650, the same as Guapulema’s successful third attempt. Since Debuque was lighter, tying Guapulema would be enough to regain the lead and win the gold. While he had officially squatted 672 pounds in local Philippine events, the coach decided on 650 for a better chance at success.

Chertkov came back to win the Bench Press (402 pounds) and Deadlift (573 pounds) to total 1,592 pounds. Debuque lifted 352 in the Bench Press and 518 in the Deadlift to total 1,521 to win the silver in the total behind Chertkov.

Lucas Lorenzo, 18 years old with 14 Philippine records (five junior, five sub-junior, four open), competed in the 93kg class. He brought home the silver in the Bench Press event with a lift of 396 pounds.  “I was very nervous, but at the same time, I felt confident I could lift it based on my first attempt,” he quipped before the winning lift.

Lorenzo started with 380 pounds in the first round of the Bench Press. He was running second after the first round, behind Justin Duran of USA who lifted 418. Perunov of Russia was just five pounds behind Lorenzo. In the second round, Perunov attempted 391 rounds to overtake Lorenzo, but he was unsuccessful. Lorenzo then lifted 396 to solidify his lead over Perunov.

Regie Ramirez, 18 years old with 19 Philippine records (eight junior, 10 sub-junior, one open), was in the 53kg class. He was the first to win silver for the Philippines in the Bench Press event with a lift of 226. “I don’t want to go home without a medal for the Philippines,” he said before his event. That’s why after his win, he exclaimed, “I am so happy. It’s something that cannot be taken away from me.”

Ramirez ranked fourth in the first round and third in the second round. Competition became tighter in the third round such that his ranking became fifth before his last attempt. With a little struggle, Ramirez successfully lifted 226 pounds to safely secure at least a bronze medal. But the second placer was a pound heavier than Ramirez, forcing him to lift 237 which he failed, thus pushing Ramirez up to silver. The gold medal went to Roman Saifutdinov of Russia who lifted 275 pounds.

Clark Cruz, 17 years old with 22 Philippine records (nine junior, nine sub-junior, four open), was in the 74kg class. The youngest lifter in the team ended fourth due to a controversial referee decision. Cruz’s specialty is the Deadlift. He started with 507, ahead of closest competitors Niklas Nordling of Sweden and Daniel Nguyen of France. USA’s Charles McDonald was way ahead due to his successful 589 in the second round.

In the third round, Cruz had to successfully lift 534 for the silver. He was able to do that, much to the delight of the Philippine delegation and audience. However, two referees from Europe decided to give a “red light.” The referee from Ecuador saw nothing wrong with the lift and gave a “white flag.” Unfortunately for this case, majority decision wins. Many lifters/officials from the audience were also wondering why Cruz got red-flagged.

We interviewed them before they left for Canada regarding their sport.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR: At what age did you start powerlifting? Who influenced you to take up this sport?

RAYMUND DEBUQUE: I was seven years old when I started lifting. Since our gym Zest was only downstairs, I couldn’t help but be curious about what they were doing and I just asked my dad if I could try it.

CLARK CRUZ: I started powerlifting when I was 16 years old. My dad (Eddie Torres) influenced me.

LUCAS LORENZO: This sport? I started at 16 with Eddie Torres.

REGIE RAMIREZ: I started powerlifting only 20 months ago at the age of 17. For sure, my greatest powerlifting heroes are my Auntie Anita and Uncle Tony, both world champions. I am living with them so it’s quite simple to follow these two strong persons. Not just in lifting, but how they handle their whole life.

Are you engaged in other sports? How often do you play?

RAYMUND: Last year, I joined the UP track and field throwers varsity where I threw shot puts. I trained every other day for one whole semester. Unfortunately, due to coach and training complications, I had to leave the team to pursue my career in powerlifting further. Aside from throwing, I also play table tennis, volleyball, and a bit of badminton with my high school friends once in a while.

CLARK: I did track and field and American football, but I don’t play anymore … football, just occasionally.

LUCAS: I was into equestrian show jumping every day but stopped to train for powerlifting.

REGIE: I also do arnis and karate.

How do you train for a competition?

Raymund: I train five times a week; three days for the Bench Press and two days for the Squat and Deadlift. Training days in Bench Press are of low quantity than that of the Squat or Deadlift so there are more days allotted for that particular event. Training for this particular competition was a lot more vigorous than for any other competition I’ve joined since this is the biggest competition I have ever been invited to. My coach and father Ramon Debuque is actually one of the few Philippine powerlifting legends and a pioneer of scientific powerlifting training in the Philippines. This has proven to be a great advantage as he gives me training programs that are scientifically proven effective by experiments done on himself and other lifters. Special thanks to him since he brought me where I am right now.

CLARK: I train four to five times a week depending on the program.

LUCAS: Tito Eddie gives me a program.

REGIE: Just a full year, no holidays training program. Off-season cycle with harder training towards the real thing.

Are you under a special diet?

RAYMUND: I have no particular diet as of the moment. I eat as much as I need as long as I don’t overshoot my weight category.

CLARK: Only if I need to get to a certain weight.

LUCAS: Am on a “see” food diet!

REGIE: Yup ... everything which doesn’t move, looks good, and smells good ... I eat it!

How do you mentally prepare for a competition?

RAYMUND: I just say to myself that I’ve prepared myself for this and that this is what I trained for.

CLARK: I just think that I can lift the weight. I’m always optimistic!

LUCAS: I visualize my lifts.

REGIE: Not really, no need for special mental preparation because when training honestly and hard, the competition is just like part of training.

What do you sacrifice, if any, to be good in powerlifting?

RAYMUND: I sacrifice about two hours a day, five days a week for the whole year just for training. So if, for example, I have training tomorrow, I have to pass out on everything except school to make time for my training. In my opinion, it’s all worth it.

LUCAS: Nothing, I have a well-balanced schedule.

REGIE: Well some stuff for sure, like not having so much time for soroy soroy, but those things are not so important anyway.

What have you gained or learned from the sport that helps you in other aspects of your life?

RAYMUND: In powerlifting, we learn to force ourselves to the peak of our capabilities and to give 100 percent whenever applicable.

LUCAS: Perseverance, which always helps me strive for more.

REGIE: Discipline, honesty, working hard, and trying my very best all the time. No cheating and no drugs.

How can you encourage other young boys to take up the sport?

RAYMUND: Always remember that if you give enough effort to something, eventually you will get better at that something. Powerlifting is still a relatively unknown sport, compared to basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc. and you might be the one man to be able to conquer the sport.  You won’t know if you have a future in something if you don’t try it.

REGIE: Now, it is easy because I am some sort of an idol and they do want to be like me.

* * *

The Powerlifting Association of the Philippines is always on the lookout for new team recruits. Young men who are interested to be strong not only physically but also in will and character may contact Nina Oca (ninaoca@hotmail.com).

Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.