FOUR WEIGHTLIFTERS READY TO LIFT GUAM

A preview of Team Guam heading to Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games June 29 – July 9 amongst 24 island nations

By Patrick Lujan

Weightlifting normally brings a slew of medals in regional competition.

Spearheading our delegation to the Pacific Mini Games in Palau is veteran Jacinta Sumagaysay. The 34-year-old is the leader (and assistant coach) of the four-person squad.

Starting with a silver medal in the 2017 Mini Games in Vanuatu and a bunch of medals since then, Sumagaysay describes her view of these Palau games.

“The feeling is never the same when you go out to an international competition,” Sumagaysay said. “The pride to represent Guam is there, the anxiety. Other than that, the feeling and how I’m prepping for these Games, just making sure I’m healthy and peaking at the right moment.”

Chloe Santos will be lifting in her third competition and seeks her first medal, while youngster Nissi Lujan is the rookie in the group.

Dave Bautista is the lone male lifter. He will be defending his gold and silver from the Mini Games in Saipan.

70% MENTAL

Weighlifting is an obvious strength sport, but for someone who has competed at the highest regional levels, Sumagaysay believes the mental game is much more important than the muscles required to lift heavy weights.

“Mental health is a big one,” she said. “Making sure that your mind is in the right place for competition. 70% is mental, in my opinion. If your mind is not there, anything can happen on the platform. The mental games that others are competing with you in the back. If the numbers get to you, it will take a huge toll. Everything you’ve prepared for can go out the window, because you’re focused on the anxiety and not the lift you’ve trained for. If there is mental doubt, it can overcome you.”

MOLINOS HEADS THE TEAM ONCE AGAIN

Heading the team once again is long-time head coach Edgar Molinos. A well-decorated lifter himself in his heydays, Molinos has walked these big competitions many times.

“He’s so experienced,” Sumagaysay said about Molinos. “What he brings to the team is his confidence and reassurance in us. He knows us so well. He can tell if we are having a bad day or off day. He knows how to dial us back in. Him knowing us during training helps during competition. He knows how to give us that confidence boost we need at that moment. Just hearing it from him right before going out to the comp stage is so much more reassuring.”

Weightlifting starts on Tuesday, July 1st and will conclude on July 5th.

TEAM GUAM ROSTER

Chloe Santos 53-55 kg

Jacinta Sumagaysay 63 kg (asst. coach)

Nissi Lujan 69-71 kg

Dave Bautista 79-81 kg

Edgar Molinos (head coach)