Sarno sweep seen

Vanessa Sarno is tipped to sweep all gold medals at stake when she competes in the women’s 71-kg event of the Asian

Youth and Junior Weightlifting

Championship in Tashkent on

Friday (Manila time).

National team head coach

Allen Diaz said they expect the

18-year-old lifter to dominate based on her total lift of 239kgs in the previous Southeast Asian

(SEA) Games in Hanoi.

Diaz, the cousin of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, said Sarno will definitely shine if she will be focused on executing her lift.

“She is certain to get the gold because of her total lift based from her SEA Games results,” Diaz said. “She just needs to stay focused and make sure to execute her lifts.”

Prior to Sarno, the Philippines had already collected 12 gold, two silver and three bronze medals in this prestigious event that drew the best young lifters in Asia.

Angeline Colonia started the gold rush as she won two gold and a silver medal in the women’s youth 40-kg category while Prince Keil Delos Santos snatched two bronze medals in the men’s youth 45-kg event and Rose Jean Ramos pocketed three gold medals in the women’s youth 45-kg event.

Ramos’ sister, Rosegie, scooped three gold medals in the women’s junior 49-kg class while Rosalinda Faustino also claimed three gold medals in the women’s youth 49-kg event.

Diaz said Sarno has to overcome other rising stars like Restu Anggi of Indonesia and Thi My Le Lam of Vietnam as well as SEA Games silver medalist Siriyakorn Khaipandung of Thailand.

“Vietnam and Indonesia are the countries that we need to look out for. Those countries are known to be strong in the event,” Diaz said.