By REYNALD MAGALLON
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) President Monico Puentevella is looking at the young lifters of the Philippine team to pull off the biggest surprises in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Weightlifting was among the sports that delivered most medals for Team Philippines in the past editions of the Games and Puentevella is seeing no reason for that to change especially with the young guns leading the charge for the national team’s campaign.
“We have always won medals in every SEA Games. So, I do not see the difference in this one. We will try to win more medals,” said the weightlifting chief.
Although Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and fellow Olympian and SEAG gold medalist Elreen Ando will be leading the nine-man weightlifting team, Puentevella has high expectations on the young lifters especially since they are also eyeing spots for the Asian Games next year.
“We will try to win more medals. We have new lifters and we are watching them because the best performers will be eyeing for the Asian Games in Japan next year and then of course the Olympics for Los Angeles in 2028,” added Puentevella.
16-year-old Jhodie Peralta who has recently won a silver and bronze in the Asian Youth Games just last October will be the youngest in the crew along with 21-year-old Rosegie Ramos.
On the men’s side, 19-year-old Albert Ian Delos Santos and 23-year-old Fernando Agad Jr. will be the athletes to watch according to the weightlifting chief.
Of course, other members like Kristel Macrahon, Dave Lloyd Pacaldo and John Dexter Tabique are all capable of delivering medals for the national team.
“Every lifter is expected to do their personal best. They are expected to outperform their personal best dito sa Pilipinas or wherever. So, let’s hope for the best,” he added.
