Zamboanga City’s Rosalinda Faustino and Rosegie Ramos ruled their respective divisions on Tuesday night, adding six golds to the Philippines’ medal haul in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships at the Uzbekistan Sports Complex in Tashkent City.
Faustino, who hails from Barangay Mercedes, registered the best score in snatch (71kg.), clean and jerk (90kg.), and total (161kg.) to capture the women’s 49kg.-category title in the Youth division.
Ramos, a Grade 10 student from Mampang National High School, dominated the same category in the Junior division.
She was ranked first in the snatch (80kg.), clean and jerk (96kg.), and total (176kg.).
The Philippines now has 12 gold medals, including four from Rose Jean Ramos (Youth and Junior women’s 45kg. category) and two from Angeline Colonia (Youth women’s 40kg. category).
Rose Jean, the younger sister of Rosegie, also had one silver and one bronze while Colonia got one silver.
Prince Keil delos Santos of Cainta, Rizal contributed two bronze medals coming from the Youth men’s 49kg. category.
“I am so happy because we were not expecting to win the gold,” coach Allen Drayfus Diaz said after the awarding ceremony.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella was impressed with the performance of the athletes.
“Even for me, this is quite a revelation. Twelve golds in three days and Vanessa (Sarno) has yet to perform, I can’t ask for more. Praise ye the Lord. We’re looking at Olympians now for Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. This country will get more Olympic medals from weightlifting in the future. Thanks to our national coaches, parents, and our sponsors. Philippine Sports Commission and MVP Sports Foundation. We’re on a roll,” said Puentevella, who was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Hall of Fame last month.
Sarno, the reigning Asian champion and double-gold winner in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, will see action in the Junior women’s 71kg. category on July 22. (PNA)
