As a proud aunt, I am wishing my nephew and his teammates the best of luck. The four of them, all Philippine junior record holders, are leaving tomorrow to compete in the 2011 World Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada from August 29 to September 4, 2011.
The team was interviewed yesterday on Channel 4's Teleradyo Sports. Here's Part 1 of the interview:
and Part 2 (my nephew Clark is shown in the frame):
The team is composed of 18-year old Regie Ramirez, [my nephew] 17-year old Clark Cruz, 18-year old Lucas Lorenzo and 17-year Raymond Debuque. The delegation is headed by their coach Eddie Torres and assistant coach Allan Paje.
Ramirez who graduated from Valencia High School in Ormoc City, will compete in the 53kg class. He is the 2011 National Open Powerlifting Champion (59kg class), the 21011 National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Champion (53kg class), 2011 Asian Sub-Junior Bench Press Chamption (56kg class), 2011 Visayas Open Champion (56kg class), 2011 Visayas Open Best Lifter awardee and holder of 19 Philippine records - 8 junior, 10 sub-junior and 1 open record.
Cruz, a student of De La Salle Zobel, is the 2011 national Open Powerlifting Champion (74kg class), 2011 National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Champion (83kg class), 2010 Asian Sub-Junior Bench Press Bronze medalist (75kg class), 2010 National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Champion (75kg class), 2010 National High School Champion (75kg class). He is the holder of 22 Philippine records - 9 junior, 9 sub-junior and 4 open.
Lorenzo, a student of Ateneo de Manila, is the 2011 National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Champion (93kg class), 2011 National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Best Lifter awardee, 2010 Luzon Open Powerlifting Champion (93kg class), 2010 Asian Sub-Junior Bench Press Silver medalist (75kg class), 2010 National Bench Press Sub-Junior Champion (82.5kg class) and 2010 National High School Champion (82.5kg class). He is the holder of 14 Philippine records - 5 junior, 5 sub-junior and 4 open.
Debuque, a student at the University of the Phlippines, is the 2011 National Open Powerlifting Champion (120kg class), National Open Sub-Junior Bench Press Champion (120kg class), 2010 Asian Sub-Junior Bench Press Champion (125kg class), National Sub-Junior Powerlifting Champion (125kg class) and 2010 National College Champion (125kg class). He has set 11 Philippine records - 5 junior, 5 sub-junior and 1 open. The four teeners will compete against strong contenders from the United States, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Finland. Among the other countries participating are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denamrk, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Sweden, Uzbekistan and Venenzuela. A total of 294 young powerlifters from 28 countries will compete in this event.
Please pray for the Philippine team and for their safety!! Go Junior Powerlifting team!!!
