Monico: Paris is just the start

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella looks back at the Paris Olympics with a grateful heart before declaring that it is nothing but just the start of bigger things ahead.

Puentevella stressed that Paris is just a mere warm-up event because their actual goal is to win another gold medal in the 2028 Summer Games that will be held in the American city of Los Angeles for the second time ever.

Puentevella, for one, noted that Elreen Ando has a handsome chance of winning in her third Olympic stint as well as Rosegie Ramos, who narrowly missed the cut in the women’s 49-kilogram category.

“We talked about who has the potential to make it to the LA Olympics and Ando is one of them. Hidilyn (Diaz) got her first medal on the third try and maybe Ando can get hers,” said Puentevella, the architect behind Diaz’s success in Tokyo in 2021.

“Rosegie also has a chance to make it to LA. She missed Paris by one kilo.”

Aside from the Olympians, the SWP is also honing young weightlifters by competing in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.

The Philippines’ 15-man delegation took home five gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze medals in the youth and junior divisions of the prestigious continental competition.

Puentevella said competitions like this, including the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, will be a test for those who are looking to qualify for the Summer Games.