‘Hard work worth it’ as lifter Ramos books Olympic berth

Rosegie Ramos has been lifting barbells more than thrice her weight on a daily basis.

Well, all that hard work paid off after the 20-year-old from Zamboanga City clinched a spot to the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday during the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup.“I have secured my spot. I knew I could make it to Paris if I remained in the top 10 after this tournament,’’ Ramos told the Inquirer in Filipino.

She certainly made it after placing first in the women’s 49 kilograms Group B division with lifts of 87 kg in the snatch and 103 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 190 kg.

The ongoing Olympic-qualifying tournament in Phuket, Thailand, which will run from April 2 to April 11 is the last remaining pathway to the glamorous French capital.

Ramos, the current Asian junior champion in the women’s 49-kg class, simply needed to stay at her current position in the Summer Games rankings to make it to Paris. She currently is at eighth place in the Olympic rankings after five qualification tournaments.

Other Olympians

She placed seventh during the 2023 IWF World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, wound up fifth in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and ended up ninth in the Asian championships last year held in Jinju, South Korea.

The top 10 lifters in each weight category will qualify for the Olympics.

“All the hard work was worth it. I’m going to Paris,’’ said Ramos, whose workouts at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex have been closely monitored by coach Tony Agustin.

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According to Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella, Agustin handled most of Ramos’ training during her buildup while Jeaneth Aro has been taking care of her nutrition.

Ramos now belongs to the elite company of Filipino athletes bound for the French capital along with pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan and boxers Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.

“I’m still targeting a specific lift where I could compete with the best in the weight category. I’ve been working on it every day and hopefully achieve the goal in the Olympics,’’ said Ramos.

Ramos matched her personal bests in the total, snatch and clean and jerk, which are all national standards.