Weightlifters continue to rack up the medals as a demonstration sport at the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.
Region IX’s Crezleen Yza Balarote and Region VII’s Veronica Quismundo both nabbed gold medals in their respective weight divisions as weightlifting entered the full swing of its return at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte on Tuesday.
Balarote, who competed at the Girls’ 44kg, nipped her competitors by a sliver, ending up with a total lift of 107kg. She first lifted 46kg in the snatch before ending with a 61kg clean and jerk.
Only a few kilograms proved the difference as Balarote ended up just two ahead of silver medalist Mary Joy Beralde from Region IV-A. Beralde lifted one kg short each of Balarote’s snatch and clean and jerk totals to finish with 105kg.
Wrapping up the podium for the 44kg competition was NCR’s Jasmine Batulan who was a distant third behind Balarote and Beralde with a total lift of 95kg.
Meanwhile, Quismundo led the competition in the 48kg, rising above the rest of the competition with a 102kg lift — successfully clearing 47kg and 55kg, respectively, in the snatch and the clean and jerk.
Lovely Santos trailed behind with the silver medal finish for Region III, lifting 97kg.
Another NCR bet in Arianne Barlaan rounded up the podium with a 95kg total. She lifted 40kg and 55kg, respectively, in her best snatch and clean and jerk attempts.