Second generation strongmen will banner the country?s participation in the 2011 World Junior and Sub-Junior Powerlifting Championships to be held August 29 to September 4 in Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada. Led by 18-year-0ld Regie Ramirez, all four PHL hopefuls are descendants of former veteran campaigners who made their marks in the in the international powerlifting field. Ramirez, only 18 and will be competing in the 53-kg class,is the nephew of current world record-holder and new all-time pound-for-pound strongest Filipina, Anita Koykka. Clark Cruz, 17, vying in the 74-kgm category, is the son of many-time Asian champion and Philippines? all-time strongest man Eddie Torres, Lorenzo18, the country?s hope in the 83-kg, is the nephew of the former Asian Open Bench Press record holder Marco Lorenzo.
Raymond Debuque, also 17, taking his chance in the 120-kg, division, is the son of former strongest man in the Philippines and two-time Asian Open gold medalist Ramon Debuque.
Ramirez is handled by former world champion Tony Koykka who is the husband of Anita. Cruz and Lorenzo are coached by Torres, who actually is the team head mentor. The younger Debuque is coached by his father Ramon. Assistant team coach is Allan Paje.
Lorenzo, a student at Ateneo, is the reigning national champion in his division and the Asian Sub-Junior bench press champion, the same with Cruz and Debuque in their respective weight classes.
The Filipino strongmen, whose trip to Saskatchewan is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Dewfoam and Pancake House, will be up against the best 294 lifters from 28 countries -- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, USA, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela.
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