THE Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas is skipping the Asian Youth and Junior Championships 2020 slated February 13-19 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Monico Puentevella, president of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, in his letter to the International Weightlifting Federation, expressed great appreciation to the organization.

"It's true we originally intended to join the Asian Youth and Junior Championships 2020. However, we have decided to withdraw our participation due to the current coronavirus plaguing the world, especially Asia," Puentevella said.

Recently, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz and Kristel Macrohon bagged three gold medals and two bronze medals, respectively, during the 2020 Roma Weightlifting World Cup held in Italy last January 28, 2020. (JSG)