TEN Filipino athletes are bound to Tashkent to compete in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships that start on Tuesday.
Asian champion Vanessa Sarno (women’s -71 kgs) and Tokyo Olympian Erleen Anne Ando (-59 kgs) lead the Philippine campaign, which will miss Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz who begged off because of her lack of preparation.
Head coach Christopher Bureros of Cebu said the athletes are ready but aren’t aware of who the opposition will be in the Uzbekistan capital.
“We don’t really know what our chances are, but we will do our best to bring home medals,” said Bureros, who declined to comment on China’s withdrawal from the championship because of Covid-19 pandemic issues.
“But we’re with Asian gold medalist Vanessa, our Olympian Elreen and Kristel Macrohon, so we are that confident,” Bureros added. Macrohon won gold in women’s -76 kgs at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The other weightlifters are Ellen Rose Perez (-49 kgs), Asian championships silver medalist Mary Flor Diaz (-45 kgs), Margaret Colonia (-64 kgs), Fernando Agadin (-55 kgs), John Febuar Ceniza (-61 kgs), Dave Pacaldo (-67 kgs) and John Dexter Tabique (-96 kgs).
Joining Bureros in the coaching staff are Richard Augusto and Roberto Colonia.
The team left Manila on Wednesday night on board Korean Airlines. They will have a layover in Incheon before flying to Tashkent.