Sarno sweeps 3 lift events in debut

New discovery Vanessa Sarno struck hard in her debut, sweeping her three events in the Satria Remaja International Open Weightlifting Championships over the weekend in earthquakehit Bali, Indonesia.

Sarno, a 15-year-old find from Bohol, rocked the women’s 69kg division with golden lifts in the snatch (78kgs), clean and jerk (98kgs) and total (176kgs) to lead Team Philippines to a harvest of four golds, five silvers and three bronzes in the competition for youth and junior lifters featuring 20 Indonesian clubs and the national teams of Phl, Thailand and Singapore.

“First time ko maglaro ng international, first time magkamedal (It’s first international tournament and my first medals),” said Sarno upon the team’s arrival from Bali, which was jolted by a seven-magnitude quake and aftershocks Sunday. “Hindi ko talaga in-expect na maka-gold kaya thankful ako kay Lord (I didn’t really expect to win golds so I’m thankful to the Lord).”

Rosegie Ramos of Zamboanga complemented Sarno’s treble with her triumph in the snatch of the 48kg category, where she hoisted 69kgs, and runner-up finishes in jerk (84kgs) and total (153kgs).

Ramos’ fellow Zamboangueña Jane Linete Hipolito placed second in the 58kg play, posting lifts of 71kg (snatch), 85kg (jerk) and 156kg (total) for the silver behind Thai Chaiphat Chompu’s winning 76-100-176.

John Paolo Rivera, Jr. landed podium finishes in the men’s 56kg competition with his 96-123-219 effort.

The medalists paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Sports Commission yesterday, accompanied by coaches Ramon Solis and Tony Agustin and Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella.

According to Puentevella they will lobby to get Ramos and Hipolito into the coming Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.