If Hercules were a girl

Joan Masangkay lets out a yell after smashing the world sub-junior record in the 43 kg class in Texas. —International Powerlifting Federation

Joan Masangkay’s petite frame makes it easy to picture her as a gymnast springing into cartwheels and flips. Or even getting tossed as a star flyer in the similarly pretty but rigorous sport of cheerdancing.

But she laughs at the thought: “Matigas ang katawan ko (I’m not flexible).” For sure, though, there’s more brawn in this 18-year-old.

Growing up in a testosterone-charged family business—a weights gym set up right below the Masangkays’ Quezon City home—it may be no surprise how this young girl has turned into a world-class powerlifter. Still, it’s incredible how a 4-foot-10 teenager tipping the scales at just 90 pounds (40.9 kilograms) can pump iron three times her weight.

“Every time I go down our house, the weights are just there,” Masangkay says in Filipino. “When I was eight, I was already helping my papa watch over the gym and pack up the equipment. That’s when he saw my potential. I can lift some of the weights and he said I’m strong for my age.”

That early start, and a very accessible gym, certainly gave her the edge. By the time she turned 17, she shattered the world sub-junior record in the deadlift category of the 2016 World Powerlifting Classic Championships in Killeen, Texas.

Masangkay lifted 110.5 kg— much like carrying two full sacks of rice all in one go—to set a new record in the 43-kg weight class. So how can this dainty-looking girl bear all that load?

“I know I don’t look like someone who lifts weights,” says Masangkay. “I’m not muscular, so it’s just pure strength.”

Just last month, however, the International Powerlifting Federation reported that Russian lifter Rassamahina Alina broke Masangkay’s mark by half a kilo in the 2017 European Women’s Classic Championships in Denmark.

That kind of challenge only pumps up Masangkay more. As she moves up to the junior division this year, she looks to set another world record even as she braces for tougher contests against older opponents.

“In powerlifting, the program gets harder and harder,” she says. “There are times when I really get tired. But if you really love what you’re doing, you won’t give up.”

But then there’s the lure of crossing over to Olympic weightlifting with no less than Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s latest sports darling, asking her to give it a shot. “I already tried it,” Masangkay reveals.

And who wouldn’t be enticed? Ever since she bagged a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Diaz has been swamped with incentives, totalling about P10 million, both from the government and private sector.

But switching sports isn’t easy. “Weightlifting is very different from powerlifting,” Masangkay explains. “Weightlifting is more on technique. You make a mistake and it’s possible you won’t be able to lift the weight. In powerlifting, it’s all strength.”

Weightlifting features the snatch and the clean and jerk, both with the iron raised over the head. Powerlifting has the deadlift, squat and bench press, none lifted directly overhead.

Although Masangkay isn’t closing her doors on a new sport—even swimming, which she also enjoys—powerlifting is just too close to her heart. “I grew up in this sport,” she says. “And I think I have an advantage in this sport.”

One of her coaches, Rodolfo Manalang, agrees: “Her arms are long for her height. It gives her an advantage. The distance of her pull (from the ground) is shorter. So deadlift is her forte. Being small gives her better leverage.”

That advantage came in full show during last year’s world-record run where Masangkay surprised even herself. “I was so happy and I was jumping and crying,” she shares. “I’ve never lifted that weight (110.5 kg) before, even in training. I just pushed myself.”

Masangkay admits there’s more pressure now. When she competes in the 2017 Asian Powerlifting Championships this week in Indonesia, she looks to duplicate her four-gold medal feat last year.

“I feel the pressure because I already set a world record,” says Masangkay, a Grade 10 distance learning student. “If I don’t get a gold, it will be embarrassing. But my parents just remind me to train and do my best.”

That full family support—from her parents Cirilo and Judy, and siblings Mia, Cirilo III and Jose—means a lot to Masangkay. And perhaps, that is all the strength she needs to keep going.