FILIPINA weightlifters scored 4 golds, 3 silvers and a bronze medal in the recently held International Weightlifting Federation Online World Youth Cup 2020 hosted by Peru.
The 17-year-old Vanessa Sarno from Tagbilaran City, Bohol snatched 3 gold medals in the women's 71 kg category after winning the over-all, clean and jerk and snatch.
“Vanessa’s golden performance together with the Ramos sisters in the world youth cup reflects the future of Philippine weightlifting," Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella said.
The Zamboanga-hailed Ramos sisters, Rose Jean and Rosegie, delivered gold, silver and bronze medals for the country.
Fifteen-year-old Rose Jean Ramos topped the snatch event in the women's 45 kg category while settled a silver medal in the overall event.
Ramos older sister, Rosegie (17), finished silver in the over-all and clean and jerk, while bronze medal for the snatch events of the women's 55 kg category.
“Despite this catastrophic pandemic, and lack of proper equipment, we would like to thank our national coaches Ramon Solis and Gary Hortelano from Cebu, senior national coach Tony Agustin and Allen Diaz from Zamboanga, and Nicolas Jaluag from Bohol for keeping our provincial lifters on track,” Puentevella said.
“We continue our struggle to find the successors for our Río Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz,“ he added.
The IWF World Youth World Cup Online was participated by 61 countries which registered 399 entries.
Uzbekistan ruled the online event with 7 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals, followed by Mexico (7-2-5), host-Peru (5-3-3), Indonesia (5-1-0), and the Philippines.
“Next year, SWP will host three national championships. One in March before the Tokyo Olympics and the other two in September and November," Puentevella stressed.
“We thank the Philippine Sports Commission and our private sponsors [for the support],” he added.