EIGHT Filipino athletes flew to Bogota on Friday to see action in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships that start Monday (Tuesday in Manila) confident not only of making the podium but to gain ranking points for qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
They will meet up with Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who already arrived in Colombia’s capital from her training camp in Georgia in the US before the weekend. She was with her Team HD led by husband and coach Julius Naranjo, nutrionist Jeneath Aro and assistant coach Rowell Garcia.
“Our weightlifters are hoping to win a medal or gain points for the Paris Olympics,” the team’s trainer and coach Richard Agosto told BusinessMirror before boarding a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight on Friday.
Rio de Janeiro Olympian Nestor Colonia (55 kgs), John Febuar Ceniza (61 kgs) and Dave Lloyd Pacaldo (67 kgs) are entered in the men’s competition while vying in the women’s side are Asian champion Vanessa Sarno and Kristel Macrohon in the 71 kgs class, Rosegie Ramos and Lovely Inan in the 49 kgs category and Elreen Ann Ando in the 59 kgs event.
“Everyone is in good condition and well-prepared,” said Agosto, adding the team set up a monthlong training at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex before their flight.
Diaz Naranjo will still be competing at 55 kgs hoping to win the only gold medal missing from her collection.