Batang Pinoy: Future stars of weightlifting share honors

MANILA, Philippines—The next generation of weightlifting stars may have been found here at the Mindanao qualifying round of Batang Pinoy 2011.

And they carry familiar surnames.

Mayflor Diazand Margarette Colonia, both 12 years old, won gold medals for host Zamboanga City on Friday night at the Universidad de Zamboanga covered court.

Diaz, cousin of Beijing Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, lifted 26 kg in the snatch and 33 kg in the clean and jerk to bag the gold in the 36 kg division of girls’ weightlifting.

Colonia, daughter of 1988 Seoul Olympian Gregorio Colonia and cousin of Guangzhou Asian Games veteran Nestor Colonia, cleared 40 kg in the snatch and 45 kg in the clean and jerk to take the gold in the 44 kg division.

For bagging gold medals, Diaz and Colonia are qualified to join the national finals of the Batang Pinoy in Naga along with fellow winners Rossana Mendoza (40 kg), Patria Gregorio (48 kg) and Lyann Pineda (48 kg).

Providing inspiration to the participants was 15-year-old Kristel Macrohon, also from the host city.

Macrohon is already a member of the national youth weightlifting pool and is being groomed to represent the country in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China.

Although only a guest entry, Macrohon performed her best as she lifted 60 kg in the snatch and 80 kg in the clean and jerk. During the National Games in Bacolod City last July, Macrohon lifted her personal best mark of 70 kg in the clean in jerk.