By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After team Philippines’ two failed attempts in clinching that elusive gold medal in the first weeks of the Asian Weightlifting Championship, wunderkind Vanessa Sarno came to the rescue.
The 17-year-old weightlifter dazzled the whole women’s 71-kilogram division after lifting the 124-kg championship during her second attempt.
A native of Bohol, the national team member edged hometown favorite Gulnabat Kadyrova of Turkmenistan after only lifting a total of 121 kilograms in the final round.
The 27-year-old Kadyrova tried to go more than 121 and be at par with Sarno’s championship-clinching score but failed to do so and settled for the silver medal.
Aside from the 124-kg score in the clean and jerk category, Sarno also reigned supreme in the overall-kg category, making it a total of two gold medals.
Sarno was the first in the team to get the gold medal after teammates Elreen Ando and Tokyo Olympics qualifier Hidilyn Diaz failed.
Kristel Macrohon of team Philippines will try to replicate what Sarno did as she is set to compete in the women’s 76-kg event.
