REMEMBER Joyce Gail Reboton, who made the country proud by bringing home the bronze medal in the 2019 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships in Halmstad, Sweden?

Well, Reboton is still doing it all — and doing her best — to keep the sport of powerlifting alive in the country.

Reboton, the country’s highest-ranked female powerlifter, is again set to represent the country in the 2021 World Classic Powerlifting Championships scheduled September 23-October 3 in Halmstad, Sweden.

And this time, the 29-year old pride and joy of Mabalacat, Pampanga hopes to win the elusive gold medal and bring the sport of powerlifting to a higher level.

“Winning the gold medal in the world championships is really my lifelong dream,” said Reboton during the 115th “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom last Aug. 26.

“It is also a good opportunity for me and my team to show the world that the Filipinos can also excel in powerlifting,” added Reboton during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Reboton, however, admitted winning a medal is easier than done.

“Sa World Championships, nandun na talaga lahat ng mga magagaling. Malalakas yun mga kalaban from United States, Canada at Russia, na top three in the world,” claimed Reboton, who also captured the gold medal in the 2019 Asian Pacific Powerlifting Championships,

“But on a really good day, we have a chance for a medal. Hopefully, gold or silver,” added Reboton, who first joined the national powerlifting team in 2007.

Reboton admitted the sad reality that powerlifting does not get the usual financial assistance from the government and even the private sector.

Reboton is now even launching a fund-raising campaign thru gogetfunding. com, a crowdfunding website that allows anyone to raise money for personal causes, prohects and events.

She hopes to raise enough money for her travel expenses, including air fare and hotel accomodations in Sweden.

“To be honest po, wala po akong nakukuhang support from the government even for the training. Maybe because powerlifting is not a top priority sport. Hindi ito kagaya ng basketball and other sports, na may mga allowances ang players even during trainings,” said Reboton, who trains in her own small gym at home even during the pandemic.

“In my case, I have to spend my own money gaya nun nag-compete ako sa world championships, na nakuha ko yung bronze medal in 2019. My friends, especially those from CrossFit community, also helped me make both ends meet,” added Reboton, now a mother of one boy.

“Even sa mga vitamin supplements and other personal needs of an athlete, wala pa ako nakakausap.”

Reboton said she has already requested the PSC, thru the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines, for financial assistance.

“Sana po ma-approve yun request, not only for me but to the other junior powerlifters who also want to compete in the world championships. Madami pa kasing kailangan gastusin, like visa applications and other travel requirements.”

Presently, Reboton said her fund-raising campaign is still not enough to cover her expenses in the Sweden competition.

“Sa mga gustong tumulong, pwede pong magpunta sa aking Facebook wall, naka pinned post. Nandun po ang link ng GoGetFunding, pati na ang GCash at BDO bank account na kung saan pwedeng mag donate. Presently, nasa 37 perent na po na ang napupunan sa kailangang gastusin sa campaign ko sa Sweden”.

Asked about the difference between weightlifting, where Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, and powerlifting, Reboton said:

“The difference is that weightliting is more on overhead movements. Yung snatch, first movement po ay from ground to overhead while clean and jerk is both overhead. In powerlifting, may three movements. May box squat, bench press and deadlift.”

“In the 2019 world championships, I took the bronze in squat. Naka-buhat ako ng 200 kilos.”

Reboton credited her coach-partner Willord Capulong for introducing her to the sport.

“Sa simula, nag-join ako sa isang local powerlifting meet sa Quezon City habang nagsimula pa din ako ako mag-CrossFit. Parang exercise lang nmuna. Pero nag-place kaagad ako kaya itinuloy ko na kasabay ng crossfit, strongman at weightlifting.”

She said she focued on only one sport — powerlifting — in 2019 when she qualified for the Asian championships.

“By 2019, I decided to focus on powerlifting. Hindi kasi pwede na lagi kang pagod, at kailangan maka-recover agad ng maayos,” competition sa Sweden.”

While admitting she was very happy for Diaz and her achievements in weightlifting, Reboton said she is determined to make her own mark in powerlifting.

“Gaya po ng nauna kong sinabi, nag weightlifting din po ako. Pero sa ngayon, mas gusto kong magpatuloy sa powerlifting. Nasubok ko nang lumaban sa Asia, tapos sa world. Nakita ko na kung ano ang kaya kong gawin at ano ang kailangan pa nating gawin para mapa-sikat din ang powerlifting sa ating bansa So para sa akin, tuloy lang ang sakripisyo tuloy lang sng laban,” added Reboton.

“Sabi nga, kung kaya ng ibang atleta sa ibang sport, kaya din namin ng mga kasama ko sa powerlifting.” With reports from Gab Ferreras

To support Reboton: https:// gogetfunding.com/support-joyce-world-classic-powerlifting
GCash (Joyce Gail Reboton) 09399154511
GCash (Willord Capulong) 09175900692
BDO Savings (Joyce Gail Reboton) 4920222117