Glimpse of Philippines weightlifting future?

Tashkent Success:

MANILA, Philippines — The future looks bright for . Rising stars Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and Kristel Macrohon provided a glimpse of what the future could bring on their impressive performances in the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The 17-year-old Sarno could be at the center of it all after she surprised everyone by scooping up a pair of gold medals and a silver in the 71-kilogram division on her first senior-level competition.

Ando, 22, for her part, picked up two silvers and a bronze in the 64kg class while Macrohon, 24, copped a pair of bronzes in the 76kg category to lead the successful Philippine campaign in Tashkent.

With three more events to be completed, the country ranked fifth overall with a 2-6-2 (gold-silver-bronze) haul behind powerhouse China (20-13-2), Chinese Taipei (6-0-0), Kazakhstan (4-3-7) and India (4-0-1).

“For the Vietnam SEA (Southeast Asia) Games, we’ll get several golds,” Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella told The STAR.

“For Paris 2024 (Olympics), watch out for Sarno, Ando, and Macrohon. More lifters will make it, and pray we get more medals if not the elusive gold,” he added.

2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, training non-stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia amid the pandemic, made it more memorable by formally claiming a spot to the Tokyo Games in July with a fourth-place effort in the 55kg section.

“By God’s grace, weightlifting is on a roll. Hidilyn will get a medal in Tokyo, maybe gold, silver or bronze,” said the former Bacolod mayor and congressman.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez said they would fully support the campaign of these young lifters in their future international events.

“We will give these young outstanding people special attention for Paris (2024 Games) and Los Angeles (2028),” said Ramirez. “And based on our laws, they would receive cash incentives.”

Sarno’s effort was worth P500,000, Ando P250,000 and Macrohon P100,000 based on Republic Act 10699 or the Expanded Athletes Incentives Act.

“It was a very impressive and outstanding performance by these probinsyana, one from Cebu (Ando), one from Bohol (Sarno) and one from Zamboanga (Macrohon). Priority sports na talaga namin ang weightlifting,” said Ramirez.