Glorious lift in Phuket for Sarno

MANILA, Philippines — Vanessa Sarno will have a chance to prove her worth as the new heiress to Hidilyn Diaz as she virtually booked a spot to the Paris Olympics this July.

The 20-year-old wonder girl from Tagbilaran, Bohol, tipped to succeed Tokyo Olympics gold winner Diaz, topped Group B of the women’s 71-kilogram division in the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand with a total lift of 245kg on 110kg from snatch and 135kg from clean and jerk.

Her snatch of 110kg eclipsed the national record of 108kg she set in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar in December last year.

More importantly, she put herself in a good position to join the Paris Games-bound athletes, like fellow lifters John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg).

Sarno was ranked fifth in her class with a best total lift of 249kg, which she registered also in Doha. If she makes the Top 10 at the end of the Phuket competition, she books a ticket to the Paris Games.

Pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are the other Filipino athletes seeing action in Paris.

Another lifter Rosegie Ramos is still awaiting the final tally in the women’s 49kg section. She’s currently at 11th.

“Yes pasok na, pero we wait kung may medalya siya after Group A,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella of Sarno.