Llena raring to show stuff in Youth Olympics

MANILA, Philippines - Patricia Llena gave Philippine sports something to look forward as the 15-year-old captured three gold and one bronze medals in the 2009 World Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paolo, Brazil earlier this month.

Llena will compete in the 2010 Youth Olympics weightlifting competitions in Singapore after finishing 10th in the first World Youth Weightlifting Championship last May in Chang Mai, Thailand.

The 15-year-old Llena lifted a total of 420 kgs. in three events beating American Kendra Miller and three-time Russian world champion Talybova Yana to take the overall crown in the World junior liftfest in Sao Paolo.

Llena added two more gold medals by lifting 170 kg. in the squat class and 170 kg. in the deadlift category as she was the lone Filipino entry in the event participated in by more than 30 countries.

Llena, a pride of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, brought home the bronze medal in the bench press event by lifting 80 kgs.

“I want to be a nutritionist and, at the same time, keep breaking records,” said the soft-spoken Llena in Friday’s SCOOP forum at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.

Leonard Llena, his father and coach, recalled in the weekly forum sponsored by ACCEL how her daughter started at a young age of four years old.

“I discouraged her from pursuing the sport but she insisted to be trained. That started everything,” said Leonard Llena, a pastor and a former national weightlifer.

Nick Cabalza, vice president of the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines, said that Patricia is a perfect role model for athletes her age.