PROMISING siblings Rose Jean and Rosegie Ramos did the country proud with medal-winning performances in the online World Youth Weightlifting Championships being conducted in Peru, according to weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella.
Competing in the 45kg division, the younger Rose Jean, 15, bagged the gold with a snatch of 63 kilos and a silver medal with a total lift of 138 kilos in the event sanctioned by the International Weightlifting Federation that drew 399 entries from 61 countries.
Vying in the 55kg category, Rosegie, 17, had a pair of silver medals in the snatch (78 kg.) and total lift (176 kg), respectively.
Puentevella cited the performance of the Zamboanga City sisters, saying: “We continue our struggle in finding the successor for our Río Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.”
He also thanked national coaches Ramon Solis, Gary Hortellano, Tony Agustin, Allen Diza and Nicolas Jaluag “who are able to keep our lifters on track despite this catastrophic pandemic and the lack of proper equipment.”
Next up is Cebuana Anne Betua, who will see action in the 49-kg division today and Asian Youth gold medalist Vannesa Samo of Bohol early Tuesday morning.
“Next year, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas will host three national championships. One in March before the Tokyo Olympics and the other two in September and November through the help of the Philippine Sports Commission and private sponsors,” Puentevella said.
