Colonia fifth in weightlifting

Filipino weightlifter Nestor Colonia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

KUALA LUMPUR — Not even the presence of Rio Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz could carry the Philippine team in weightlifting competitions here Monday.

Nestor Colonia failed to make the podium finish during the men’s 56-kilogram division at MITEC.

Diaz flew in to this city to help up with Colonia backstage, harking back to their teamwork that helped the Zamboanga lass end the medal drought for the Philippines ini the Olympics.

“We will come back and prepare in the Asian Games, we have five women’s events,” said weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella.

There was no women’s competitions in this edition of the Games.