Vanessa Sarno nears Paris Olympics

FILE–The Philippines’ Vanessa Sarno reacts after winning the gold medal and setting a new games record in the women’s 71kg weightlifting event during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi on May 21, 2022. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–Vanessa Sarno moved closer to booking a trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics after topping Group B of her category on Sunday at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.

Sarno even reset her own Philippine record by lifting 110 kilograms in the snatch, shadowing the national standard of 108 kg she registered in last year’s world cup in Doha, Qatar.

The Asian championship silver medalist compiled a total of 245kg after carrying 135kg in the clean and jerk in the women’s 71kg division to maintain her No. 5 ranking in the Olympic qualification.

Although the IWF has yet to officially announce the qualified athletes, the top 10 lifters in Sarno’s category will advance to the Summer Games at the French capital in July.

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The final rankings will be determined after the women’s 71kg Group A competition late Sunday evening.

Cuba’s Feria Mirabal placed second behind the 20-year-old pride of Tagbilaran City with a total of 238 and Siuzanna Valdokzka of Russia registered 237 to wind up third.

Already assured of Olympic spots are lifters John Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) while the status of Rosegie Ramos hangs in the balance ending up tied at 10th in the women’s 49kg.