Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella has vowed to fight for weightlifting's retention in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

Puentevella told Daily Tribune in a phone conversation that as one of the new vice presidents of the Asian Weightlifting Federation, he will work to ensure that the sport will remain in the Olympic calendar.

Puentevella was elected as a vice president during the AWF Electoral Congress in Doha last week where he will be in position until 2027.

"I decided to run as vice president to be more active in making decisions to ensure that weightlifting will not be scrapped in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics."

"To make sure our activities will be transparent, the board will be transparent and apply equality to all countries and all entries."

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, there are only five weight categories per division.

The men's division only has the 61-kilogram, 73kg, 89kg, 102kg and +102kg while the women's side will have 49kg, 59kg, 71kg, 81kg and +81kg.

Being an elected official in the AWF, Puentevella said his involvement in the International Weightlifting Federation and the SWP will be stronger.

"This will be stronger because it will protect the interest of the SWP and the IWF," Puentevella said.