City’s weightlifters grab medals in Rio Olympics

• Source:http://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/16919-citys-weightlifters-grab-medals-in-rio-olympics.html
• Tuesday, November 24, 2015 11:35

By Jasmine Mohammadsali

Zamboangueño weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia emerged victorious in a weightlifting Olympic-qualifier competition held in Texas, a victory which will set them on the road to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Diaz and Colonia clinched podium finishes, both winning bronze medals in their respective categories at the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championship in Houston, Texas.

Diaz won 3 bronze medals in the 53 kg category while Colonia won 1 bronze medal in the 56 kg category.

According to City Sports Officer Dr. Cecil Atilano, Diaz and Colonia’s individual wins qualified them to compete in the 2016 Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 2016.

The coaches and athletes are currently waiting for the official notification and announcement from the IWF, said Atilano.

Upon receiving the news, City Mayor Beng Climaco praised Diaz and Colonia’s victories during her Monday press briefing.

“Congratulations to Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz for their victory in their respective categories during the 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston, Texas qualifying them to the Rio Olympics. To God be the glory,” said Climaco.

The City recently recognized Diaz and Colonia for their exemplary performance in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Phuket, Thailand, a campaign that resulted in five gold medals and a silver medal last September.

According to sports website Spin.ph, an athlete can qualify in the Olympics via team qualification where a country can gain three to six berths based on team rankings in the 2014 and 2015 World Championship, and continental qualification events, or via individual qualification by being one of eight in the top 15 in each weight category from countries which have not yet gained Olympic berths.