(Photo courtesy of PNA)
Zamboanga native Rosegie Ramos secured another bronze medal for the Philippines at the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, on Thursday night.
Competing in the women’s 53-kilogram division, Ramos lifted 97 kilograms in the snatch event, surpassing Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao, a bronze medalist at the Nagoya Asian Games, who managed 93 kilograms.
China’s Haiqin Zhang and American Miranda Eleonor Ulrey both lifted 100 kilograms, claiming the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Zhang also earned silver in the clean and jerk with a 123-kilogram lift and gold in the overall total with 221 kilograms. Ulrey, meanwhile, took silver in the total with 220 kilograms and bronze in the clean and jerk with 122 kilograms.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella praised Ramos’ performance, describing it as a promising step toward qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“This is the first step to the Los Angeles Olympics. We are closing in. Hard work pays off. Rosegie just beat the Asian Games bronze medalist,” Puentevella said in an interview Friday.
He also thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, athletes’ families, coaches and sponsors for their continued support.
Ramos’ podium finish followed the bronze medal victory of her younger sister, Rose Jean Ramos, who lifted 86 kilograms in the snatch event of the women’s 49-kilogram division on Tuesday.
Rose Jean admitted feeling nervous during her World Championships debut and expressed surprise at winning a medal.
“I’m so happy because I won the bronze medal. This is my first time to compete in the World Championships, so I was nervous. I did not expect to win,” she said.
The younger Ramos previously captured one gold and two silver medals in the junior 45-kilogram division at the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Championships in New Delhi, India.
Meanwhile, fellow Filipino weightlifters Elreen Ann Ando (women’s 61kg), Kristal Macrohon (women’s 69kg) and Albert Ian Delos Santos (men’s 70kg) are also looking to deliver strong performances as the Philippine campaign continues.
The Ramos sisters’ bronze medal finishes bring the Philippines’ medal haul to two at the world championships.
