Teen Vanessa Sarno could make Tokyo Olympics as wildcard

The joy of victory is evident in Vanessa Sarno’s smile. —SCREEN GRAB FROM COACH JULIUS NARANJO’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino weightlifting sensation Vanessa Sarno is being eyed as a wildcard for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Sarno turned heads in the recent Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where she seized two gold medals plus a silver.

“I want Sarno to be a wildcard,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella on Tuesday during the PSA Forum.

Puentevella also said Hidilyn Diaz, the Rio Olympics silver medalist who will be competing in her fourth straight Olympics in Tokyo later this year, also started as a wildcard.

The 17-year-old Sarno isn’t the only Filipino weightlifter who could end up joining Diaz in Tokyo.

According to Puentevella, Elreen Ando and Kristel Macrohon also have a crack at earning Olympic berths.

As it stands, the Philippines has seven bets in Tokyo with Diaz as the latest addition. Diaz, who ended the country’s 20-year medal drought in the Summer Games in 2016, joined boxers Eumir Felix Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena.