Filipino weightlifter Vanessa Sarno placed fifth in the women’s 76 kg category at the
19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Friday.
Sarno lifted a total of 230 kg, with 100 kg in the snatch and 130 kg in the clean and
jerk. She was 15 kg behind the bronze medalist, Uzbekistan’s Kumushkhon
Fayzullaeva, who lifted 245 kg.
The gold medal went to China’s Zhang Wangli, who set a new Asian Games record
with 280 kg.
Sarno’s performance was remarkable considering that she had just recovered from a
serious illness that hospitalized her in India in August. She was competing in the
2023 Asian Senior and Junior Championships in New Delhi, where she won three
gold medals in the junior division and two silver medals in the senior division.
However, she contracted a high fever and was admitted to the intensive care unit of
a hospital.
Sarno, who is a native of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, said that she was grateful for the
support of her family, coaches, and fellow weightlifters during her ordeal.
She also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic
Committee for providing her with medical assistance and financial aid.
Sarno said that she was proud to represent the Philippines in the Asian Games and
that she would continue to train hard for future competitions.
She also expressed her admiration for her idol and mentor, Olympic gold medalist
Hidilyn Diaz, who also competed in the same event and finished fourth with 233 kg.
Sarno is one of the rising stars of Philippine weightlifting, having won several medals
in regional and international tournaments since she started competing at age 12.
She is also a student at the University of Bohol, where she is taking up Bachelor of
Science in Physical Education.