Boholano Elien Rose Perez bagged three bronze medals in the women’s 53 kg. category of the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships at the Army Training and Sports Complex in Lagankhel, Kathmandu, Nepal last Tuesday.

Perez, a native of Tagbilaran City, lifted 73 kg. in snatch, 93 kg. in the clean and jerk, for a total of 166 kg. in the junior competition.

China’s Hongyan Gan pocketed the gold medals in snatch (83 kg.), clean and jerk (108 kg.), and total (191 kg.).

Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao took the silver medals in the snatch (75 kg.), clean and jerk (95 kg.), and total (170 kg.).

A total of 241 athletes are participating in the tournament, which will run until July 29.

Perez won three golds in the 53 kg. event of this year’s Private Schools Athletic Association Sports Foundation, Inc. (PRISAA) National Games at the Zambales Sports Complex.

The 18-year-old athlete from Tagbilaran City lifted 73 kg. in the jerk and 95 kg. in snatch for a total of 168 kg. in her new weight category.

Perez, a third year Criminology student from the University of Bohol, dominated the 48 kg. category in the PRISAA held in 2015 (Iloilo) and 2016 (South Cotabato).

Perez was introduced to weightlifting at the age of nine by Samuel Alegada, who has won medals for the country when he was a member of the national team.

Perez has competed in the Asian Youth Championships in Qatar, and the qualifying tournament for the Nanjing Youth Olympics in China in 2014. Last year, she went to Uzbekistan for the Asian Junior Championships, and Japan for the Asian Youth and Junior Championships. (Jean T. Malanum/PNA)