ASIAN champion Vanessa Sarno missed out on a podium finish but broke a couple of national records in the 2021 World Weightlifting Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old Ms. Sarno, considered as the heir to Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn F. Diaz’s throne, finished tied for third with Patricia Sternius of Sweden and Olivia Reeves of the United States on identical 231 kilograms in the 71kg division but the former wound up only fifth after tie-breaks were applied.
Ms. Sternius took the bronze behind American Meredith Alwine, who took the gold with 235kgs, and Brit Sarah Davies, who pocketed the silver with 234kgs.
The Tagbiliran, Bohol native, however, erased the national mark of 101kgs in the snatch and 229kgs she set last April’s Asian Championships also in Tashkent by lifting 103kgs and 231kgs, respectively.
Ms. Sarno, who had two golds in the Tashkent Asian tilt, matched only the 128kgs that she also owns in the clean and jerk.
Countrywoman Kristel Macrohon also competed in the same class but finished just seventh with 228kgs missed snatching a medal.
Olympian Elreen Ann Ando likewise ended fifth in the 59kg category with a total of 214 kgs. — Joey Villar