Young lifters strike golds

Rosegie Ramos and Rosalinda Faustino struck with three gold medals each as the Philippines continued its winning ways in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships Tuesday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Rosegie, whose sister Rose Jean plucked four gold medals in the women’s youth and junior 45-kilogram classes, topped the 49kg junior event while Faustino flaunted her dominance in the women’s 49kg youth.

The golds came after Rosegie did 80kgs in the snatch, 96kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 176kgs.

Not to be outdone, Faustino posted 71kgs in the snatch and 90kgs in the clean-and-jerk and a winning total lift of 161kgs.

The latest victories boosted the Philippines’ medal production to 12 gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Angeline Colonia started the gold rush after winning two golds and one silver in the women’s youth 40kg category.

Prince Keil de los Santos caught two bronze medals in the men’s youth 45kg while Rose Jean Ramos took all the gold medals in the women’s youth 45kg event.

Ramos even got one more medal in the junior event of her weight category to go along with one silver and one bronze.

“I’m happy with the wins. Some of them are just first timers in the national team,” said national team coach Allen Diaz, the cousin of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

“For Rosegie, I just told her to focus on the game and do her lifts well.”

National coach Gregorio Colonia admitted that the national team’s impressive showing caught him by surprise.

“They’re really fit and strong in the tournament,” he said.