First-time Fernando Agad debuted at eighth place at the start of the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships Wednesday evening at the Uzbekistan Sports Center in Tashkent.
Tallying a total of 239 kgs, the 19-year-old Agad ended up in the middle of the pack of the 17-man field that saw action in the men’s -55 kilogram division.
The Cebu-based Agad, who has never joined international meets before, landed second in Group B, behind Colombia’s Miguel Suarez’ 242.
Agad easily heaved 104 kgs in his opening lift before he concluded his attempts at 108.
He then settled for a 131-kg lift in the clean and jerk after failing his bid at the 136-kg mark.
Kazakhstan’s Arli Chortey, who grabbed the silver at 142, claimed the overall gold with his total of 260.
It was Saudi Arabia’s Mansour Al-Saleem, who bagged the snatch gold with his 118-kg performance.
Thailand’s Thada Somboon-uan claimed the silver at 256 kgs, while Bulgaria’s Angel Ruzlev earned the bronze with a 254 feat.