Overtime

VANESSA SARNO PEGGED TO REPLACE HIDILYN DIAZ IN WORLD CHAMPS

The responsibility of carrying the Philippine flag in the World Weightlifting Championships has been passed to Vanessa Sarno and will be filling up the void left by the absence of Hidilyn Diaz.

/ 13 November 2021

Diaz is said to be not ready for the world champs as she is currently consumed with commercial endorsements, TV appearances, and guest appearances and had not been to the gym since winning the Olympic medal on July 26.

“Kasi ang mindset niya talaga gustong magpahinga, gustong ma-enjoy muna ang victory niya. And pag ganyan talaga ang mindset mo, wala ka sa focus. Kung wala ka sa kundisyon, ano pang gagawin mo run,” Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella.

And this is where Sarno’s existence will take place.

Sarno at the young age of 18, has proven her skills in weightlifting as she earned two gold medals at last year’s Asian Championships, which were also held in Uzbekistan’s capital.

And despite being young, Sarno is eager to do her best for the country.

While the former congressman and mayor of Bacolod City said that “Vanessa Sarno could win.”

Iba na ang mananalo ng medalya doon. Iba na.

The event will take place on December 7 to 17 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where the country will also have Mary Flor Diaz (women’s 45 kg), Elien Rose Perez (women’s 49 kg), Elreen Ann Ando (women’s 59 kg), Margaret Colonia (women’s 64 kg), Kristel Macrohon (women’s 71 kg), Fernando Agad (men’s 55 kg), John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61 kg), Dave Lloyd Pacaldo (men’s 67 kg), and John Dexter Tabique (men’s 96 kg).