JAKARTA, Indonesia (UPDATED) –  Olympian Nestor Colonia wound up empty-handed again.

The Zamboanga City native placed 7th overall in the men’s 56kg event of the 2018 Asian Games weightlifting tournament on Monday, August 20 at the Jakarta International Expo. 

Colonia lifted 113 kg in the snatch and 140 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 253kg, a far cry from his personal best of 282kg (124-158), which could’ve merited him a silver finish. 

“Dismayado ako, kasi ‘di ko nakuha ‘yung 100% ko,” said Colonia about his performance. (I was disappointed because I didn’t get my 100%)

“Pag nakuha ko kasi ‘yung 100% ko, nasa silver talaga ako eh. So ngayon, hanggang 90% lang ako kaya dismayado ako.”

(If I got my 100%, I would be silver. So I’m just 90% now that’s why I’m disappointed.)

After Colonia captured his last major medal – a bronze in the 2015 World Championships – he injured his knee while training for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

The Olympian was pressured to get back into form as quickly as possible. After clearing 140kg in his first clean and jerk attempt, Colonia decided to increase his second attempt to 150kg in order to chase the podium finish. 

“Kailangan kasi taasan ‘yung attempt because parang wala lang kapag mababa ‘yung attempt,” said Colonia.  (I have to make the weight of my attempt heavier because there is no use if the attempt is low.) 

However, he failed to lift 150kg in his second and third clean and jerk attempts, putting him at the lower half of the standings. 

The 26-year-old, who had a lackluster SEA Games finish last year, had hoped for a major comeback after showing improved form this year when he bagged a gold in the Philippine National Games.

Up next for Colonia is the 2018 world championships that will be held in Turkmenistan in November, which will serve as qualifier for the 2020 Olympics. – Rappler.com