Reboton raises flag for powerlifting as Diaz did for weightlifting
MANILA, Philippines — History maker Joyce Reboton hopes to do the same thing for classic powerlifting as 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz did for weightlifting in the Philippines.
That is, to pull the sport out of obscurity and show her fellow Filipinos that we too are capable to compete against the world in the discipline.
Recently gaining the first-ever medal for a Filipino for total in the 2021 World Classic Powerlifting Champion in Sweden, Reboton aims to lift the sport in the eyes of Filipinos.
"Gusto kong ako yung magstep forward na magdala ng flag ng powerlifting kasi ako yung nasa taas sa ngayon sa open category," said Reboton in the recent episode of The Game.
"So sabi ko nga, if hindi ako magpapakilala as ganito, pano nila malalaman yung difference or pano makikita ng mga tao magkaiba pala kaming sport," she added.
Diaz also recently made the distinction between the two sports, as she and Reboton are also friends.
Reboton admitted, however, that it remains a heavy burden for her to represent the sport due to its relative obscurity to weightlifting which has seen a boom since Diaz' medal conquests in the Olympics.
"Medyo mahirap dalhin for now, kasi nga hindi pa siya masyado sikat," Reboton said.
"Pero hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na in time, mabibigyan ng proper recognition yung sport," she added.
Reboton took silver in the bench press in the World Championship and bronze in total — the first ever for the Philippines.
She also became only the second Filipino to win in the world open powerlifting event according to the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines.
Before Reboton, Lily Pecante won bronze in 2009.
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