Four members of the Tarlac State University Powerlifters bagged seven golds and three trophies during the 2024 Central and North Luzon Powerlifting Championships held at the St. Vincent Gym in Baguio City last September 28-29, 2024.
The team, led by international powerlifter champion Ken Andrey Austria from the College of Business and Accountancy, is composed of the Gutierrez siblings, namely Vince Gerald Gutierrez, 22, Lisha Mae Gutierrez, 21, Zyrus Gervi Gutierrez, 19, and Caedmon Dyre Catalan, 20.
These powerlifters are under the supervision of Mr. Hilario Romen III, a non-teaching personnel of TSU, who serves as their coach, and Mr. Wesley Roi Equila, the assistant coach.
The 2024 Central and North Luzon Powerlifting Championships include deadlift, squat, and bench press. Participants are from different colleges and universities in Central and Northern Luzon.
Gutierrez siblings
Lisha Mae, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English student, is the team's only woman powerlifter. She bagged two gold medals in the under 52 kg. Women's College and under 52 kg. Women's Junior categories. She also received a silver medal in the under 52 kg. Women's Novice category.
She shared that her eldest brother, Vince Gerald, and her younger brother, Zyrus Gervi, influenced her to join.
Vince Gerald is a BSED English graduate and currently a School of Law student. He started training in December last year and encouraged his other siblings to join him.
His usual day starts early morning to train, read and prepare, and attend his law classes at night.
He was awarded best lifter both in the college and junior categories. Moreover, he received three gold medals in the under 83 kg. Men's College, under 83 kg. Men's Junior, and under 83 kg. Men's Novice categories.
Meanwhile, Zyrus Gervi, a Bachelor of Elementary Education student, won two gold medals for the categories under 74 kg. Men's Junior and under 74 kg. Men's College.
Aside from the Gutierrez siblings, Catalan, a BS Accountancy student, also received a silver medal in the under 74 kg. Men's College category and a bronze medal in the under 74 kg. Men's Junior category.
Also part of the team is the youngest powerlifter, Fhrex Elijah Lacuesta, 18, a College of Business and Accountancy student.
Promoting powerlifting
According to Austria, the president of Tarlac State University Powerlifting, they plan to train aspiring powerlifters as young as high school to college students to raise awareness about their sport. They also intend to promote powerlifting to all, regardless of gender or whether they are beginner or intermediate lifters.
Lisha Mae said she was first intimidated upon seeing several men joining the competition, yet she reminded herself that her siblings fully trusted her and that she only needed to enjoy and focus on her first competition.
“Pinaka-naging source of inspiration ko po talaga ay sila [siblings]. Pero nung naging maalam na po ako sa sports, ang dami pa po pala sa women na ang lalakas, 'yung kaya nilang buhatin twice, thrice, or even more. Ang goal ko po maging ganon rin, 'yung strength po talaga,” she said in an interview.
“'Yung experience ko po sa kanila okay naman atsaka 'yung sa powerlifting community. First time ko rin na-experience 'yung first competition, masaya po tsaka ‘women support women’ talaga. Kaya sana po dumami kaming members,” the only female powerlifter in the university added.
Austria said students who are willing to join the sports need not be shy, for professional and champion lifters will guide them throughout their journey, like Assistant Coach Equila, one of the first powerlifters in Tarlac Province, who has also garnered several awards in different competitions.
“Kailangang isipin nila lahat ng struggles at oras na ginugol nila sa training kasi kung hindi mo iisipin 'yon, sayang naman lahat ng sakripisyo para makapagtraining, kung panghihinaan ka lang din ng loob sa mismong laban,” Coach Equila said.
The Tarlac State University Powerlifting Team will prepare for the 2025 National Powerlifting Championships and are planning to compete for the Asian University Cup next year to be held in India. (jlmm-OPA)
Photos by Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr., Christian Jose David
