15-year-old Patricia Llena beat 3-time world champion TALYBOVA Yana of Russia in the 2009 World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo Brazil yesterday (08 Sep 2009). Patricia, an honor student from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija bagged 3 gold and 1 bronze lifting 170kg in the SQUAT, 80kgs in the bench press, and 170 kgs in the deadlift for a whopping total of 420kgs for the title. Kendra Miller (USA) and Russia’s Yana trailed behind with a total of 405kgs each but the USA prevailed second by the virtue of lighter bodyweight. Other entries from Canada, Japan, and host Brazil joined the contention.
The meet spectators were awed by the sterling lifts of LLena, a newcomer and lone entry from the Philippines to the World Powerlifting scene at the tender age of 15. Sub-junior category yields 14-18 years old lifters from at least 30 countries worldwide. Patricia never lifted in any regional powerlifting events when she started last 2008.
Coach and father, Leonard Llena were thankful the hard work, training, and challenging trip across the world paid off. A long road lies ahead next year to defend Llena’s new title in such an annual event of the International Powerlifting Federation, the sports body recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the General Association of the International Sports Federation (GAISF).
This endeavor was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission through Chairman Harry Angping.
