Ramos: Still a work in progress

Rosegie Ramos knows she still has plenty of work to do after making her international debut in the 53-kilogram class at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Ramos finished fourth after lifting a total of 203kg last Wednesday, but the 22-year-old Zamboanga City native said she is comfortable in her new weight category after moving up from her usual 49kg division.

“This is my current category. It suits me well because it feels like this is the right fit for my physique,” Ramos said in an episode of “Off The Court,” the weekly online sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE, on Thursday.

“I still need to work on my mobility.”

Ramos missed the podium by a few kilograms but said she understands that adjusting to a new weight class will take time, particularly as she continues to refine her execution.

“It’s nothing much, sir. For me, it’s just about taking it one competition at a time,” Ramos said.

“Even if the improvement is gradual, that’s fine with me. As long as I’m steadily moving up. I’m happy with what I’ve been able to achieve.”

Her next target is the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, scheduled from 27 October to 8 November.

Ramos is also being groomed as one of the country’s next weightlifting standouts following the path of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

In fact, she is currently training under Diaz’s husband and coach, Julius Naranjo, as she works toward a possible Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

With two years to adjust to and master the 53kg division, Ramos knows she has little room for complacency.

“I will apply the lessons I learned in the previous qualifier as I continue my training,” Ramos said.

“I need to focus and make myself stronger. My opponents were stronger, and I need to make sure I can catch up.”