Weightlifter Kristel Macrohon settles for 4th in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — Kristel Macrohon narrowly missed out on a podium finish after early execution missteps dashed her medal hopes in the 2026 Asian Games weightlifting competition on Sunday at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre in Japan. Macrohon finished fourth overall with a total lift of 227 kg, placing just two kilograms behind bronze medalist Ingrid Grueso of Bahrain, who logged a 229 kg total (101 kg snatch, 128 kg clean and jerk). The Filipina lifter delivered a strong start in the snatch segment by clearing 102 kg. However, early struggles in the clean and jerk proved costly, as she needed multiple attempts before successfully clearing 125 kg. North Korea’s Kuk Hyang Song dominated the event to claim gold, setting a world record with a combined lift of 273 kg (121 kg snatch). Chinese Taipei’s Wen-Huei Chen captured the silver medal with a 232 kg total (106 kg snatch, 126 kg clean and jerk).