Llena launches quest for elusive YOG medal

SINGAPORE - Patricia Llena hopes to lift Team RP’s spirit in the Youth Olympic Games in the rash of setbacks suffered by the Filipino bets in other fronts here as she vies for a medal in weightlifting tonight at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.

A powerlifting champion, the 16-year-old Llena never had a hard time adjusting since her sport, where competitors carry out three lifts - the bench press, squat and deadlift - is part of the training for weightlifting.

“It’s not much of a problem,” said Llena’s father/trainer Leonard. “Powerlifting is part of training in weightlifting.”

What worries Llena is the four other lifters ranked above her in the eight-woman field in the 63kg division.

“We have a slim chance (for a medal) but we will do our best,” said the elder Llena, also a former national lifter. “Anything can happen but it also depends on the performance of her rivals.”

Llena, who clinched a YOG berth by qualifying in the Asian tournament in Uzbekistan last April, is ranked fifth behind Diana Akhmetova of Russia, Zhazira Zhapparkul of Kazakhstan, Aremi Fuentes of Mexico and Neslihan Okumus of Turkey.

As a powerlifter, the Nueva Ecija native bagged three gold medals in last year’s World Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Brazil.

As a weightlifter, Llena placed 10th in the World Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Thailand, also last year.

The other entries are Stefania Munoz of Colombia, Jessica Beed of the US and Australian Michelle Khal.

Llena has been tipped as the top medal hope for the lean nine-man RP team, which saw two of its bets - taekwondo jin Kirk Barbosa and netter Jeson Patrombon - bow out with sorry setbacks last Sunday.