INQUIRER Sports

ANITA KOYKKA SHATTERED A WORLD powerlifting record as the Philippine team also eclipsed six Asian marks in the recent 2010 Asian Powerlifting Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The 47-year-old Koykka broke the world and Asian masters records in the squat event with a lift of 353 pounds in the women?s masters 52kg class to highlight the team?s impressive 17-14-1 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.

Teen sensation Patricia Llena also starred by erasing three Asian sub-junior marks with a record 1,014 lb total lift, including a record 418 in the squat and a 396 in the deadlift of the women?s sub-junior 67.5kg class.

World champions Lily Pecante and Tony Taguibao copped four gold medals each, while Eddie Torres had three for the RP Team in the tourney that pitted 263 lifters from 14 countries from May 1 to 6.

Koykka, who picked up the sport only three years ago, also set a new Asian record total of 805 lb for the Women?s Masters II Best Lifter plum after breaking another Asian record in the bench press at 165 lb and ruling the squat and deadlift.

Japan?s Hatsuko Kimura held the squat record since 2003 at 352 lb, which Koykka surpassed by a pound.

The 16-year-old Llena also earned the women?s sub-junior best lifter trophy after securing four gold medals.

Pecante dominated the squat (440 lb), bench press (270 lb), deadlift (407 lb) for a 1,118 lb total in the women?s masters 90 kg to win the Women?s Masters I Best Lifter title just a month after picking up the World Masters Bench Press gold medal in Orlando, Florida.

Taguibao, a five-time world champion, triumphed in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total lift of the men?s masters 56kg class.

Torres defended his men?s masters 100kg class title with gold-medal finishes in the squat, deadlift and total lift.

The 19-year-old Betina Bordeos topped the bench press of the women?s juniors 60kg class aside from clinching two silvers in the deadlift and total and a bronze in the squat.

Leslie Evangelista had silver finishes in the bench press and deadlift of the women?s open 48kg class. Jasmine W. Payo