(Target ng PH weightlifters) BIG DELEGATION SA TOKYO OLYMPICS

PUNTIRYA ng Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) na magkaroon ng mala­king delegasyon sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ayon kay SWP President Monico Puentevella, marami silang mahuhusay na atleta na makatutulong kina Olympians Hidilyn Diaz at Nestor Colonia sa pagkatawan sa bansa sa Summer Games na nakatakda sa July 24-August 9 sa susunod na taon.

Mangunguna sa local weightlifters si Vanessa Sarno, isang 16-year-old prodigy na nagwagi ng dalawang gold medals sa Asian Junior and Youth Championships sa Pyongyang noong nakaraang linggo.

Nalusutan ni Sarno ang pinapaborang North Korean at Uzbek lifters sa finals, na nagbigay sa kanya ng magandang pagkakataon na magkuwalipika sa Summer Games at manalo ng medalya sa Paris Olympics sa 2024.

Bukod kay Sarno, ang SWP ay mayroon ding Eileen Ann Ando, Kristel Macrohon at Margaret Colonia sa kanilang roster.

“We want to become the sports association with the largest number of Olympic delegates,” wika ni  Puentevella, da­ting Bacolod lawmaker, chairman ng  Philippine Olympic Committee at commissioner ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“Like Hidilyn when she competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, we are also exposing our young players to international competitions as early as 16 years old. We are preparing them early and want them to qualify in the Tokyo Olympics so that by 2024, they already have the experience to become Olympic medalists,” aniya.

Sinabi naman ni PSC Chairman William Ra­mirez na,  “Hidilyn was heaven-sent to Philippine sports. She inspires us all to work harder.”

“We will continue to support her, the weightlifters and all the other athletes as we aspire to send more champions and winners to every podium,” dagdag pa niya.