By Riera U. Mallari
PARIS (Via PLDT Home) – Weightlifter John Ceniza waited for this moment all of his life. But a pinched nerve in his neck after the Philippine team’s training in Thailand last April has shattered his confidence and raised doubts on his dream.
He wasn’t sure he could even lift his starting weight at 125kgs, but he tried. Once, twice, thrice – all unsuccessful.
He was uncertain. And he was right.
As he rushed to his corner after his DNF stint, he met POC Secretary General Atty. Wharton Chan and buried himself in his embrace, two grown men crying – the sight of which was so painful, it felt like death in the family.
“Mabigat po sa pakiramdam, sobrang sakit dahil nabigo ako at nabigo ko ‘yung Pilipinas,” said John, one of the 19 other empty-handed Filipino Olympians suffering the same fate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The weight of the world seemed to have pressed down on John and his fellow fallen Olympians EJ, Bianca, Dottie, Lauren, John, Carlo, Jarod, Kayla, Elreen, Vanessa, Aleah, Levi, Emma, Hergie, Sam, Kiyomi, Joanie and Eumir.
Once a deafening roar, the cheers when they made it to the Olympics, had dwindled into a distant echo.
Years of sacrifice, of early mornings and late nights, of endless repetitions and grueling workouts, of shunning the junk food and taking in sustenance with nary any taste, had led to this moment — slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.
Us common folks only see the big winning and losing moments.
We don’t see EJ’s bad back. Dottie’s sick parents. Sam’s battered knee. The chaos in Vanessa’s mind.
The unbearable pain in John’s neck and shoulders.
“Hindi pa po kasi ako naka-recover talaga ng maayos. Nerve kasi ‘yung injury ko, 3 nerves na naipit sa leeg ko na sobrang sakit,” said John, his body defeated, but his spirit still intact.
As the crowd dispersed, the stadium emptied, and the lights dimmed, John was left alone at the Athlete’s Village with his thoughts.
He thought of his country, family, coaches and friends. He had let them down. But more than that, he had let himself down. John had poured every ounce of himself into this endeavor, only to fall short.
The road ahead would be difficult, littered with setbacks, injuries, and moments of doubt.
But John vowed he would return, stronger, wiser, and more determined. Until then, he would endure the pain, learn from his mistakes, and prepare for his redemption.
“Yes po, babawi po tayo para sa Pilipinas. Kukunin pa natin ‘yung gold,” he vowed.
The Olympics would witness his return. Of that, he was certain.
