The national weightlifting squad isn’t on vacation mode as it prepares for various events that offers qualifying points for the Paris Olympics next year.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella told Daily Tribune that their athletes are working hard to stay in shape amid their celebration of the Christmas season.
Hidilyn Diaz, for one, said she will be doing light workouts amid her Yuletide celebration in bid to maintain her fighting form for Olympic qualifiers.
“Just like in the past, our athletes for the Olympics, we always told them no birthdays, no Christmas and no New Year but always train for the upcoming Olympics, especially the upcoming Paris Olympics now that it is just around the corner,” Puentevella said.
“Maybe they can spend some time with their families but as soon as Christmas ends, the hard work starts again.”
So far, four weightlifters have a good chance of making it to the Summer Games after barging into the top ten of the Olympic Qualification Ranking in their respective weight categories.
Diaz, who is gunning for her fifth stint in the Summer Games, is currently at seventh place in the women’s 59-kilogram category with Rosegie Ramos sitting at ninth place in the women’s 49-kg category.
Southeast Asian Games silver medalist John Fabuar Ceniza is at sixth place in the men’s 61-kg event while 2020 Asian champion Vanessa Sarno is at fifth in the women’s 71-kg category.
Should they maintain their spots inside the top 10, they will gain outright entries to the Olympics.
The Nationals need to compete in two more events next year — the AWF Seniors Cup in Tashkent from 3 to 10 February and the IWF World Cup in Phuket from 31 March to 11 April — before their final rankings will be announced.
