While John Ceniza's mind wanted him to lift and win, his body simply betrayed him.
John Ceniza walked out of the platform at the South Paris Arena visibly frustrated after failing to deliver a medal for the Philippines on Wednesday, August 7 (PH time).
Ceniza broke into tears after getting a DNF after three failed attempts at 125kg in snatch in 61kg men’s weightlifting in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
He was the first to bow out in the 12-man competition.
Turned out, the Cebuano weightlifter was not yet at full strength after nursing a shoulder injury.
“Mahirap. Sa injury ko eh. Tatak kasi sa utak na may injury ka. Mahirap i-compete na 'di ka pa nakarecover,” said Ceniza shortly after crashing out of the 12-man competition.
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Ceniza didn’t specify which injury he suffered.
“Yung nerve pa rin. Dalawang balikat, may injury po ako,” he said.
Still, the 26-year-old soldiered on and fought for the Philippine flag.
“Pero nag-compete ako dahil sa Pilipinas. Lumalaban pa rin ako kahit may injury ako. Lumalaban pa rin ako para sa Pilipinas,” he added.
While his mind wanted him to lift and win, his body simply betrayed him.
“Pero mas nangunguna pa yung sakit ng injury ko. Kahit anong focus mo di mo talaga ma-control 'yung sakit,” he said.
Despite the loss draining the life out of him, Ceniza vows redemption in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
After all, it happened to Hidilyn Diaz too. She suffered a DNF in London 2012 before picking up the silver medal in Rio 2016, and then the gold in Tokyo 2020.
“Thank you po sa lahat ng nagsu-suporta sa’kin sa laro na to. Pasensya po sa lahat ng Pilipino na nabigo ko ngayong Olympics. Pag sikapan ko po pa ra mag-qualify sa next Olympics,” Ceniza said.
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan/Cignal TV, One Sports)