LAGATAO GETS GUAM’S FIRST GOLD OF PACIFIC GAMES

Weightlifter Nicola Lagatao is the first to medal for Guam at the 17th Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

Lagatao lifted up three gold medals in the 45kg division, snatching 59kg with a clean and jerk of 73kg for a combined 132kg for the three-gold medal sweep.

“I am beyond proud and happy with my accomplishments in this competition. To win three gold twice in IWF sanction competition (2022 Mini Games and 2023 Pacific Games) is a big accomplishment for me. Never did I imagine I’d be able to do that when I started weightlifting.”

– Nicola Lagatao

Lagatao also won gold at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Saipan.

“I have been weightlifting for six years. My friend Jacinta (Sumagaysay) has been a huge inspiration since the beginning. Watching her excel and bring home hardware when she competes international inspired me to train harder and I told coach Ed (Molinos) at the time, ‘I want to be like her. I want to make it worth it by going out there not just to compete but also step in the podium.’ I am very grateful and thankful for having a coach who believes in me and supported me since the beginning. I wouldn’t be able to be here without his support along with my friends/team, and our weightlifting federation.”

Erika Camacho (women’s 49kg) and Vinci Ebidag (men’s 54kg) both finished in 4^thplace.