Colonia shatters weightlifting marks

MANILA, Philippines - Weightlifter Nestor Colonia and swimmer Hannah Dato put on a show yesterday by winning three gold medals each in an action-packed day at the 2014 Philippine National Games.

Colonia, still hoping for inclusion to the Philippine team to this year’s Asian Games in Incheon, broke his own national records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total at the Riverbanks in Marikina.

Colonia won the gold in the snatch with a lift of 118 kg and in the clean and jerk with 153 kg. His total of 271 kg was also good for a new Philippine record.

His previous records in the three events were 116 kg, 148 kg and 264 kg set during the 2012 PNG in Dumaguete City. If their numbers are accurate, Colonia’s new record in the total is good for a bronze in the Asian Games.

Dato, 19-year-old veteran of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, made waves at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex pool by ruling all three events she joined.

Dato topped the 200m freestyle, 400m individual medley and 50m butterfly events in great fashion and may earn the title as this year’s “Golden Mermaid.”

The second-year college student at Ateneo ruled the 200m free in 2:09.90 against San Pablo City’s Catherine Bondad (2:14.58); the 400m IM in 5:09.49 over San Juan’s Precilla Aquino (5:33.2); and the 50m butterfly in 29.63 against Manila’s Luica Dacanay (31.41).

Her winning time in the 50m free was short of her own national record of 28.05 but she said she’s still “very happy” with her performance.

Dato, who also holds the records in the 100m butterfly (1:01.14), 200m freestyle (2:03.60) and 200m IM (2:20.22), said she could have joined more events if not for her summer studies.

Other winners in yesterday’s swim competitions include Quezon City’s Franz Marquez of Quezon Province in the boys 200m free and 400m IM, San Pedro City’s Skyler Claveria in the 50m butterfly, Malolos’ James Ellsworth in the 200m breaststroke, San Juan’s Precilla Aquino in the 200m breaststroke, Manila’s Brandon Sing in the 100m backstroke and Quezon City’s Miguel Antonio Arellano in the 1500m freestyle.

In the centerpiece event of athletics, priority athlete Mervin Guarte ruled the 800m run in 1:52.26 while Jordan Paul Billones came in second at 1:53.50 and Marco Vilog third at 1:53.78. Also making heads turn was Emily Jean Obiena who ruled the women’s pole vault in 3.20 meters.

Others who bagged gold medals at the Philsports track stadium  were Janry Ubas  of FEU in men’s pole vault, Marilyn Avila of Poveda in the 400m hurdles, Mark Harry Diones of Jose Rizal U in triple jump, Erwin Capangpangan of Santo Tomas in the 5000m run and Catherine Bristol of Adamson in the women’s 5000m run.

Alvin Castanares of JRU topped the juniors 800m run while Louielyn Pamatian of Santo Tomas topped the women ‘s junior in the 800m.

In billiards, reigning World 10-ball champion Rubilen Amit won the 9-ball gold by beating two-time SEA Games gold medalist Iris Ranola.

Amit enjoyed a twice-to-beat edge against Ranola but lost the opening set, 9-8. She bagged the gold with a 9-3 win in the second set, their finals duel lasting until 10:30 in the evening.

John Mauricio ruled the men’s 9-ball event with a 9-8 win over John Limuel Rebong, 9-8.

Grandmaster Joey Antonio won the gold in the rapid chess elite division. International Master Oliver Dimakiling took the gold in the blitz event.