Lifter Colonia tabs Rio Olympic spot

Filipino weightlifter Nestor Colonia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LIFTER Nestor Colonia had reached the medal podium in the world and continental championships. He’s on his way in trying to replicate those feats in the Olympics.

Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president Joey Romasanta yesterday announced that Colonia made it to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the International Weightlifting Federation granted a quota place for the pride of Zamboanga City.

The 22-year-old is entering the peak of his preparation in an exclusive training camp in Fujian, China, together with Olympic-hopeful and fellow lifter Hidilyn Diaz.

“Nestor Colonia’s confirmation as a Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier is a fitting reward for his determined effort to be among the world’s best,” said Romasanta, the country’s chef de mission to the Aug. 5 to 21 Summer Games.

Colonia snared a bronze medal in the IWF World Championship in Houston, Texas, last year with a 158-kilogram lift in the clean and jerk event of the men’s 56 kg category.

He duplicated his performance in the 2016 Asian Weightlifting Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in April in the 148 kg division.

There’s no confirmation yet for Diaz, but she seems headed for a third straight Olympic campaign after the IWF allocated a quota place for the Philippines in the women’s division.