VICTORIOUS. Rose Jean Ramos and Angeline Colonia (back row, 3rd and 4th from left) produce four more gold medals for the Philippines at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in New Delhi, India on Sunday (July 29, 2023). Also in photo are (back row, from left) coaches Robert Colonia, Allen Jayfrus Diaz and Joe Patrick Diaz, and (front row) coach Patrick Cielo Lee (left) and Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Zamboanga weightlifters Angeline Colonia and Rose Jean Ramos delivered as expected, producing four gold medals on Saturday in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in New Delhi, India.
Colonia, the youngest sibling of 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian Nestor, ranked first in snatch (75kgs) in both Youth and Junior divisions and in total (158kgs) in the Youth division of the women's 45kg category.
She was second in the clean and jerk (83kgs) in the Youth division and placed third in total (158kgs) in the Junior division.
The two-time world youth champion Ramos entered the Junior division of the same category and settled for the silver medal in snatch (75kgs) and clean and jerk (87kgs) but she had the best total (162kgs).
The Philippines now has eight gold medals, including two from Prince Keil delos Santos of Angono, Rizal and one from Eron Borres of Cebu City in the Youth men's, and one from another Zamboangueña, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, in the Youth women’s 40kg category on Friday.
The Youth division is for athletes 13 to 17 years old while the Junior division is for 15 to 20 years old.
"Eight golds in the first two days? Can’t get any better than this. Indians are learning to sing our Pambansang Awit (national anthem) already. This is the road to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Next year, we host these championships for our people to enjoy. To God be the glory. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas (Long live the Philippines)!" Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella told the Philippine News Agency on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Rosegie Ramos and Jhodie Peralta (W49kg), Rosalinda Faustino (W55kg) and Albert Ian de los Santos (M61kg) will try to contribute to the country's medal haul when they see action on Sunday at Gautam Buddha University.
Christian Rodriguez (M67kg) will compete on July 31 and Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist Vanessa Sarno (W71kg) on Aug. 2.
The Philippines bagged 15 gold medals during the 2022 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan while Colonia, Faustino, Borres, Prince Keil Delos Santos and Albert Ian Delos Santos were gold medalists at the 2023 International Weightlifting Federation Youth World Championships in Durres, Albania in March. (PNA)
