More lifters vie for Asian Games slots

With the hope of replicating the achievements of Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippine Weightlifting Association (PWA) is seeking additional entries that can contribute to a successful Asian Games campaign.

PWA chief Monico Puentevella has endorsed young lifters Elien Rose Perez, Ma. Dessa Delos Santos, Elreen Ann Ando and Jeffrey Garcia to join Nestor Colonia, Kristel Macrohon and the Rio de Janeiro Olympic silver medalist Diaz in the Indonesia Games slated Aug. 18 to Sept. 2.

The four junior lifters were initially excluded from the list of 272 athletes from 35 sports bound for the quadrennial meet in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

“Hidilyn was only 17 years old when she first competed during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing,” said Puentevella.
“These athletes should also be given the chance to play in high-level competitions. You cannot produce an Olympic medalist if you don’t expose them against the best.”