John Ceniza Fabuar wins silver medal in first SEA Games

By Waylon Galvez

John Ceniza Fabuar missed out on a chance to win the gold medal in front of a cheering crowd, but his first Southeast Asian (SEA) Games stint still proved to be a memorable one.

Fabuar captured the silver medal in the 55-kg men’s category, surpassing his personal goal of a bronze medal in the 30th SEA Games Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Fabuar had a total lift of 252kgs from a combined 122 in snatch and 140 in clean and jerk. Gia Than Lai of Vietnam won the gold medal with 264 (122-142), while Surahmat Wijoyo of Indonesia settled for the bronze medal with a total score of 250 (110-140).

The 21-year-old Fabuar twice attempted to lift 153kgs in the clean and jerk, but failed to complete the lift. Still, he was appreciative of the crowd that cheered him.

A complete lift would have given Fabuar a total of 265.

Fabuar said he was only aiming for the bronze medal, but he is grateful to win a silver medal in his first SEA Games.

“First time ko ito mag-medal in my life, first time ko sa SEA Games,” said Fabuar, a native of Cebu. “Masaya ako at nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng mga kababayan natin.”

“Inasahan ko na maka-bronze, pero nakuha ang silver. Kahit silver masaya. kahit… (not a gold) masaya naman ako (with the silver),” added Fabuar, who is in his senior year in high school.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said that Fabuar’s performance proved that he is capable of earning a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Pang-Olympics natin ito. We will try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” said Puentevella.

Source: Manila Bulletin