“This is the face of the future,” said Samahang Weighlifting sa Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella of Sarno’s triumph.

The Bohol-born teenager lifted a total of 239 kilograms in the 104kg snatch event and 135kg in the clean and jerk event.

Sarno rewrote the old record of 101kg for snatch, 123kg for clean and jerk, and 227kg for total and the same would have brought her the gold medal in the World Championships last December. Nevertheless, Sarno expressed her gratitude to everyone who believed in her.

Despite being a first-timer in the SEA Games, Sarno affirmed that she did not expect to win the gold but did her best to prepare for the same seriously and trained very hard.

Next to the feat of Sarno was Thailand’s Siriyakorn Khaipandung with a total score of 223kg followed by Indonesia’s Anggi Restu with 212kg.

Sarno also affirmed that she just wants to enjoy her victory and at the same time is thinking of joining all the qualifying events for Paris 2024.