Rosegie Ramos is raising the bar in Nagoya, Japan.

After falling just short of the podium in her Asian Games debut, the 22-year-old weightlifter is setting her sights on a 215-kilogram total as she begins a fresh campaign in the women’s 53kg class.

Ramos admitted she is carrying both excitement and nerves into her second Asiad, but the tougher 53kg division has only pushed her to work harder.

“I’m excited, but at the same time, nervous,” Ramos said.

“It’s not difficult. It’s just that I’m changing my pace because I’m now competing in the 53-kilogram category, where the competition is strong. It challenges me to train even harder.”

Ramos finished fourth in the 49kg division at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

She has since moved up to 53kg, one of the Olympic weight classes, as she also begins her long road toward the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.

Her target in Nagoya is clear: a 97kg snatch and 118kg clean and jerk for a 215kg total.

National coach Allen Diaz believes that mark could put Ramos in the medal conversation.

“If she reaches her target, maybe she can win an even higher medal. We can’t say for sure because in competition, that’s when you find out what will happen,” Diaz said.

“We’re now focused on preparation and conditioning. We’re already entering that stage, especially with September approaching. Everything is being fine-tuned.”

Ramos will spearhead a lean Philippine weightlifting delegation that also includes Asian Games bronze medalist Elreen Ando, Albert Ian delos Santos, Kristel Macrohon and Eleaphraime Wacoy Limmong.

The Philippines is also looking to end a six-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting gold since Hidilyn Diaz’s historic triumph in 2018.

Nagoya will mark Ramos’ first major competition since recovering from her SEA Games campaign, but she will have little time to rest after the Asiad.

She is expected to compete in the World Championships in Ningbo, China, before heading to Qatar in December for another crucial Olympic qualifying event.