On the strength of his strong showing the last year, Zamboanga City lifter Nestor Colonia has been awarded a quota place in the Rio Olympics this August.
The 22-year-old Colonia, now training in Fujian, China, was informed about his inclusion to the Aug. 5 to 21 Rio Games by way of a letter sent by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
No less than IWF president Dr. Tamas Ajan, also an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee who confirmed Colonia’s participation in a letter dated June 20 that originated from the IWF’s headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, Colonia made his presence felt last year in the Asian championships in Phuket, Thailand, and in the world championships in Houston in November when he placed fourth.
Actually, Colonia was third in the clean and jerk in the world championships but wound up fourth overall.
Colonia will now join fellow lifter Hidilyn Diaz in Rio alongside boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon, Ian Lariba of table-tennis, Kirstie Elaine Alora of taekwondo, Fil-Am hurdler Eric Cray, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, golfer Miguel Tabuena and possibly a few more others.
