The Philippine weightlifting team opened the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on a difficult note Saturday, December 13, in Chonburi, as Rosegie Ramos failed to complete any of her lifts in the women’s 48kg division. The former two-time Asian junior champion recorded a DNF after missing all three attempts, starting at 100 kilograms and failing twice at 102 kilograms.

On the men’s side, Fernando Agan Jr. placed fifth in the 60kg division with a total of 269 kilograms. Thailand’s Theerapong Silachai dominated the category, capturing gold with a total of 304 kilograms.

Ramos, a 2024 World Championship bronze medalist, was visibly emotional after the event, particularly with her last snatch of 83 kilograms that would have been enough for a gold medal had it been successful.

Ramos faces a tough setback

Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took gold in the women’s 48kg with a 184 total, while Thailand’s Thanyathon Sukcharoen earned silver at 183 kilograms, and Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Trang secured bronze with 181 kilograms.

Ramos, who turns 22 on Monday, admitted that nerves affected her performance after fouling her first attempt. “Naka-feel ako ng kaba at pressure pero as long as kaya kong isipin na kaya ko, may dalawang attempt pa, kaya ko. Kaso nangyari ‘yung ganun,” she said.

The Zamboanga City native added, “Kaya po sobrang nasaktan ako sa nangyari kasi fighting for gold ako. Pero hindi ko naman iniisip ‘yung medal. Gusto ko lang ma-improve ‘yung record ko talaga.” Her personal best stands at 190 kilograms.

Team looks ahead to Hidilyn Diaz and other lifters

The Philippine team will aim to rebound Sunday with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz competing in the women’s 58kg division at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Manila time).

Also scheduled to lift are Dave Llyod Pacaldo in the men’s 65kg at 1 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Manila time) and Albert Ian Delos Santos in the men’s 71kg at 5 p.m. (6 p.m. Manila time), giving the team multiple opportunities to regain momentum.