Tokyo Olympics qualifiers hangad madagdagan ng SWP

MANILA, Philippines — Target ng Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) na magkaroon ng maraming qualifiers sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ito ang inihayag ni SWP President Monico Puente­vella kung saan nangu­nguna sina Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz at Nestor Colonia sa mga may malalakas na tsansang makapasok sa Tokyo Games.

Tinukoy din ni Puen­tevella si Vanessa Sarno – ang 16-anyos weightlifter na nakasikwat ng dalawang gintong medalya sa Asian Junior and Youth Championships sa Pyongyang, North Korea noong nakaraang linggo.

“We want to become the sports association with the largest number of Olympic delegates. Like Hidilyn when she competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, we are also exposing our young players to international competitions as early as 16 years old,” ani Puentevella.

Maliban kay Sarno, tinututukan din ng SWP sina Eileen Ann Ando, Kristel Macrohon at Margaret Colonia.

“We are preparing them early and want them to qualify in the Tokyo Olympics so that by 2024, they already have the experience to become Olympic medallists,” dagdag ni Puen­tevella.

Pakay ng weightlifting team na makapag-ambag ng gintong medalya sa 2019 Southeast Asian Games na idaraos sa bansa sa Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11 .

Ngunit prayoridad din ng koponan ang Olympics.

Maliban sa SEA Games, lalahukan pa ng Pinoy lifters ang China World Championships, Roma World Championships at Asian Championships para mas mapaganda ang kanilang puwesto sa world ranking.

“Due to our achievements in the past, the PSC, through chairman William Ramirez is throwing its all-out support. I guess it’s because we’re the only federation that delivered a silver medal or a medal of any color in the Olympics in 20 years or so. And we are very thankful for that,” dagdag ni Puentevella.