All systems go for CWA’s twin events

CEBU, Philippines — Over 20 young weightlifters from all over the region will vie for the top honors in the first Cebu Weightlifting Association (CWA) National Students Weightlifting Championships and CWA Affiliate Women’s Weightlifting Invitational this Sunday at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.

Ten colleges and universities have participated in the national championships that will be the qualifying tournament for the World University Championships on September in Poland.

"Our goal is for the development of weightlifting in the grassroots level not just here in Cebu but also in Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas and Luzon," said CWA President Felix "Boy" Tiukinhoy in a press conference yesterday at the Cebu Country Club."We plan to make it an annual event or even do it quarterly if possible, so that the sport can become alive and the athletes can train as much and be updated always, in this way we can monitor their progress."

The participating schools are University of Cebu, University of San Carlos, University of Bohol, Holy Name University, Bohol Institute of Technology, Mapua University, Mabolo National High School, ICCT College, New Era University and University of Zamboanga.

The weight classes under the men's bracket are 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg and +105kg, while the women's  and open category will have the 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, 90kg, and +90kg.

Meanwhile, local female lifters will face a challenge from Bulacan, Bohol, Pep Project and Stay Fit in the

CWA Affiliate Women's Weightlifting Invitational.

The top three winners in each category and weight division will receive medals and trophies, while the overall championship trophy will be awarded to the best team in the whole competition.

The event is also supported by Federation of Schools Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), Philippine Sports Commission and the Cebu Province. (FREEMAN)