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John Ceniza’s Olympic debut ended in early exit
When pain struck in the midst of his Olympic debut, weightlifter John Ceniza was not able to continue his fight for the country because of a shoulder injury that took control over him.
With this, Ceniza failed to make a lift in the snatch portion during Wednesday’s competition at the South Paris Arena.
The 26 year-old broke into tears because he failed thrice to lift 125 kg. in the men's 61 kg division and was officially marked a DNF (Did not Finish) in the event.
Ceniza was the first to bow out in the 12 man competition. According to Ceniza, it's hard on his part to compete when you haven't recovered yet.
“Mahirap. Sa injury ko eh. Tatak kasi sa utak na may injury ka. Mahirap i-compete na 'di ka pa nakarecover, (It’s hard. With my injury. It goes to my mind that I have an injury. It’s hard to compete when you are not yet fully recovered),” Ceniza said.
Still, the 26 year old weightlifter fought for the Philippine flag.
“Pero nag-compete ako dahil sa Pilipinas. Lumalaban pa rin ako kahit may injury ako. Lumalaban pa rin ako para sa Pilipinas (But I still compete because it’s for the Philippines. I still compete even though I have an injury. I am fighting for the Philippines),” Ceniza added.
Even though his mind wanted him to lift and attain the winning moment but Ceniza’s body betrayed him. Despite the loss in his Olympic debut this year, he vows to redeem himself in the L.A Olympic Games in 2028.
Ceniza did not forget to give thanks and made an apology to all the Filipinos who supported him despite his failure in the Olympics.
Photo Courtesy: Rappler
“Thank you po sa lahat ng nagsu-suporta sa’kin sa laro na to. Pasensya po sa lahat ng Pilipino na nabigo ko ngayong Olympics. Pag sikapan ko po para mag-qualify sa next Olympics, (Thank you to all who supported me in this game. Sorry to all Filipinos, I failed this Olympics. I will strive to qualify again next Olympics),” he also said.
Elreen Ando and Vanessa Sarno will take the spotlight as Philippine weightlifting looks to deliver again three years after Hidilyn Diaz won the country its first-ever Olympic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Games. Ando will compete in the women’s 59kg category on Thursday, August 8, while Sarno will see action in the women’s 71kg category on Friday, August 9.
