PH weightlifters make final push to qualify for Paris Olympics | ABS-CBN

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PH weightlifters make final push to qualify for Paris Olympics

PH weightlifters make final push to qualify for Paris Olympics

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

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Elreen Ando of Philippines reacts during the Women's 64kg Group A competition during the Weightlifting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2021. Ando is seeking to qualify for the Paris Olympics, this time in the 59kg category. Fazry Ismail, EPA-EFE/File.Elreen Ando of Philippines reacts during the Women's 64kg Group A competition during the Weightlifting events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2021. Ando is seeking to qualify for the Paris Olympics, this time in the 59kg category. Fazry Ismail, EPA-EFE/File.

MANILA -- Filipino weightlifters Rosegie Ramos, Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando are pushing hard in a bid to catch the last train to the Paris Olympics through a final qualifier in Phuket, Thailand.

The weightlifters are training at the Rizal Memorial Gym ahead of the make-or-break Thailand qualifiers in the first week of April. They need to stay inside the top 10 of their respective weight divisions in order to qualify for the 2024 Summer Games.

Only one athlete per country is allowed per weight class.

"Kailangan magpahinga at the same time yung utak din namin iyong gumagana. Di naman pwede buhat ka nang buhat tapos utak mo mahina mentally at emotionally. Nandito naman massage namin, PT at psychologist," said Ramos, who is being coached by Julius Naranjo, husband of Philippine gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

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While calm, Ramos says the desire to qualify for Paris is burning inside her. "God knows how much gusto ko maka-qualify. Di ko ma-explain pero alam ng mga tao lahat kung gaano ko ka-gusto mag-qualify for Olympics, sina Coach Julius at Maam Janet Aro, Doc Kare, Ate Hidi alam nila," she said.

Sarno, who has a good shot at qualifying in the 71kg division, is doing everything she can to take care of her body and be at her peak at the time of the competition to ensure a strong showing.  She is currently ranked 7th in the Paris rankings.

"Sa ngayon ok naman, naka-recover na ako ng lakas mula sa injury sa lower back. Yung diet ko andun pa rin. Iyong mental health is ok, handa na lumaban sa Thailand," she said.

Ando faces a tougher road than usual as she is competing in the same division as Diaz -- the 59kg class. Since only one athlete per country will be taken per weight class, Ando has to battle Diaz and lift more to make it through.

Both their usual weight classes (Diaz 55kg, Ando 64kg) were not included in the Paris Olympics program. Diaz is currently ranked 8th and Ando 10th in the 59kg category.

"Siyempre si Hidi, hindi basta-basta. Malakas siya, Olympic gold medalist. Tapos sa part ko mahirap siya kasi yung lakas ni Ate andiyan pa talaga.  Siyempre it's hard din na dalawa kaming magko-compete," said Ando.

Ando and the rest of the Philippines' weightlifters have worked hard the last year to get to this level of preparation.

Before this upcoming final Thailand qualifiers, they competed in five previous mandatory Olympic qualifying events in Columbia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

The team leaves at the end of March for Phuket. 

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