Rosegie Ramos finishes fifth in Asian Games debut

Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 – Weightlifting – Xiaoshan Sports Centre Gymnasium, Hangzhou, China – September 30, 2023 Philippines’ Rosegie Ramos in action REUTERS/Ann Wang

HANGZHOU, China—Rosegie Ramos crashed out of the medal podium in the nation’s opening bid in weightlifting on Saturday at the 19th Asian Games here.

The 19-year-old from Zamboanga City pulled the bar to 87kgs on her third snatch attempt and lifted 103 in the clean and jerk, good enough for fifth in the women’s 49kg category at the Xiaoshan Sports Centre Gymnasium.

Ramos compiled a total of 190 in her Asiad debut, landing behind gold winner Songgum Ri of North Korea, who reset the world record in both the clean and jerk and total.

After winding up second in the snatch with a 92, Ri mustered all her strength in the clean and jerk for a record-shattering feat of 124 that likewise renewed the world standard to 216.

China’s Jiang Huihua settled for the silver medal after posting an Asian Games record of 94 in the snatch and 119 in the clean and jerk that totaled 213.

Thanyathon Sukcharoen of Thailand completed the medal stage with a 191 total built on the strength of her 90 in the snatch and 109 in the clean and jerk.

John Febuar Ceniza, in the hunt for a trip to the Paris Olympics, is scheduled on Sunday in the men’s 61kg before Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ann Ando (women’s 64kg) see action on Monday.

Former Asian champion Vanessa Sarno has been penciled to compete in the women’s 76kg on Oct. 5. Sarno is recovering from an injured elbow she sustained during the Saudi Arabia worlds.