After Rio loss, PH weightlifter Colonia looks ahead to Tokyo 2020

MANILA, Philippines – If there was one thing Nestor Colonia learned from his Asian Games failure two years ago, it’s how to handle defeat.

The 24-year-old weightlifter admitted he already feels “okay” hours after failing to medal and complete a lift in the clean and jerk during the men’s 56-kg event Sunday, August 7 (Monday, August 8 in Manila) in Rio de Janeiro.

The first time Olympian, unable to fall asleep that night, told Rappler in a message that as early as now he is setting his sights on the next Olympics 4 years from now in Tokyo, Japan.

“It’s okay, I’ll do better in 2020,” he shared his plans in Filipino. “If I don’t win a medal there, I’m going to stop. I’ll just go into coaching.”

The Zamboanga City native recorded 120 kg in his lone successful snatch attempt. His struggles carried over to the clean and jerk and was unable to clear his 154 kg target weight.

Prior to these Games, Colonia’s biggest career disappointment was the 2014 Asiad where he likewise failed to record an official lift after being unable to eat right before competition. He was devastated then. This time is different.

“It’s not the same. I’m okay now,” he said. “What with plenty of supporters I have around me, right?”

(READ: PH weightlifter Nestor Colonia shuts down basher on Facebook)

Colonia’s loss came just a few hours after compatriot Hidilyn Diaz’s silver medal success. Diaz was right there with him during his competition, even cheering him on in his final lift.

Colonia very nearly succeeded in his second clean and jerk attempt but his legs whobbled with the barbell overhead and he was unable to keep his balance.

After dropping the barbell on his third attempt, Colonia appeared upset and devastated by his defeat.

He stumbled away from the playing area and sat down on the stairs with his head in his hands. He struggled to stay on his feet inside the tunnel. He explained that he experienced extreme pain in his head after the lift.

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“I thought I was going to die,” he said. “The doctor said I didn’t have enough oxygen in my head.”

Colonia is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, August 11. The next big competition for him is the Southeast Asian Games next year.  – Rappler.com