QUALIFIERS. Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilpinas president Monico Puentevella (2nd from right) joins Paris Olympics qualifiers Elreen Ann Ando, John Febuar Ceniza and Vanessa Sarno (from left) during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on May 7, 2024. The three athletes will grace the Philippine Open in Cebu. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – The International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is sponsoring the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) National Open in Cebu, SWP president Monico Puentevella announced on Monday.
He said acting Mayor Raymond Garcia will be the guest of honor during the opening ceremony while Governor Gwen Garcia will come and watch during the week.
Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country's first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and Paris Olympics-bound Vanessa Sarno of Bohol, and Elreen Ando and John Febuar Ceniza of Cebu will have an exhibition.
In Paris, Sarno will compete in the women’s 71kg, Ando in the women’s 59kg, and Ceniza in the men’s 61kg.
Sarno, a protege of Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) medalist Nicolas Jaluag, is aiming high for her Olympic debut.
"I am happy that I qualified for Paris after all the hard work and sacrifices. I hope to win the gold," said Sarno, who hails from Barangay Poblacion in Dais town.
Meanwhile, Puentevella thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports, SM Group of Companies, Ayalaland, Cebu City Sports Council President John Pages, and the Cebu province for lending support to the tournament that will run until June 16 at the new SM Seaside.
The SWP Open will also serve as tryouts for this year's Asian Indoor Games in Thailand in November, 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya scheduled from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026. (PNA)
