Vanessa Sarno qualifies for Paris Olympics after record-breaking World Cup outing

Vanessa Sarno is headed to her young career’s biggest stage yet as she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics following a remarkable performance during the women’s 71kg event of the IWF World Cup on Sunday night in Phuket, Thailand.

The 20-year-old Sarno, who is seen as the heir apparent of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, posted a new Philippine record in the snatch category after lifting 110kg to shatter the previous record of 108kg she also set last year.

The two-time SEA Games gold medalist also hoisted 135kg in clean and jerk to capture a total lift of 245kg, finishing fifth in the 25-man field. 

USA’s Olivia Reeves topped the World Cup event with an impressive 268kg outing followed by China’s Guifang Liao, North Korea’s Kuk Hyang Song, and Chinese Taipei’s Wen-Huei Chen. 

With Sarno’s qualification, as confirmed by Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella to GMA News Online, she booted out of contention her compatriot Kristel Macrohon who also competed in the same weight class but only managed to tally 233kg. 

Sarno became the latest Filipino to punch a ticket to the Summer Games following fellow weightlifters John Ceniza, Elreen Ando, and Rosegie Diaz as well as EJ Obiena, Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News