Kona Weightlifter Vying for Sports Illustrated Spot

Cyrus Jumalon powerlifting on Aug. 19 in Mountain View, Calif. at the Boss of Bosses Invitational. Courtesy photo.

Kona sophomore Cyrus Jumalon is among a handful of young athletes in the running for Sports Illustrated Kids’ 2016 SportsKid of the Year.

From a skinny seventh-grader wanting to bulk up and gain muscle for playing football, to a record-holding world champion, Jumalon, has exceeded his own expectations.

At age 15, he has already earned four world records in powerlifting.

He set two world records at 13 years old—one when he weighed 105 pounds and lifted 264 pounds and the other weighing 123 pounds and lifting 314 pounds.

His next two world records came this year weighing 132 pounds lifting 425 pounds and at 148 pounds lifting 429.9 pounds.

To enter and be considered for the SportsKid title, an individual is required to have strong experience in athletics, academics and community service.

Jumalon, a linebacker on the Konawaena High School football team and an honor student with a 3.9 GPA, will start his second season of wrestling this winter.

He trains before school and after football/wrestling practices every day.

Cyrus Jumalon powerlifting on Aug. 19 in Mountain View, Calif. at the Boss of Bosses Invitational. Courtesy photo.

While he is training, he is also giving back. Jumalon provides a young group of athletes 8 to 16 years old with a place to train while teaching and mentoring them.

His goals include making it to the 2020 Olympic Games, attending college and becoming an engineer.

“I try to work hard in everything I do,” said Jumalon.

“One thing I do that directly contributes to my success is showing up to the gym every day,” said Jumalon. “I stopped drinking soda three years ago, since it makes training so much more difficult.”

When asked why he should be this year’s recipient he said, “I want to represent student athletes from Hawai‘i. I want to show other small-town kids like me that it’s possible to be recognized nationwide.”

He hopes the Big Island community and the State of Hawai‘i will support him and vote online. Voting ends at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10.

The winner will be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Kids’ December issue.

Cyrus Jumalon with his father and coach, Matthew, after his win at the Boss of Bosses Invitational in August. Courtesy photo.