MANILA, Philippines – Rosegie Ramos stayed on track of her bid to punch a ticket to the Paris Olympics following the conclusion of the women’s 49kg qualification in the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, on Monday, April 1.

The 20-year-old from Zamboanga hopes to crack the top 10 of the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR) to earn her Paris berth, with the World Cup serving as the last qualifying event for Olympic weightlifting. The final rankings will be released by May.

A two-time Asian juniors champion in the same weight category, Ramos topped Group B with a total lift of 190kg after clearing 87kg in the snatch and 103kg in the clean and jerk.

Out of all the qualifying events, Ramos recorded her best lift of 191kg in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar in December.

Although the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee initially confirmed Ramos’ qualification, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella told reporters that it’s better to wait for the IWF’s final rankings.

Ramos entered the World Cup at ninth place in the OQR, but she slipped to 11th as Venezuela’s Katherin Echandia and Chinese Taipei’s Fang Wan Ling rose in the rankings by performing well in Group A with 193kg and 192kg, respectively. 

Tied with Dominican Republic’s Beatriz Piron at 191kg, Ramos settled for the 11th spot since rules indicate that athletes with the same record “shall be ranked in order of which achieved the result first.” Piron tallied 191kg in the IWF Grand Prix in Havana, Cuba, in June. 

Ramos can make it to the top 10 of the OQR if Belgium’s Nina Sterckx, who sits at No. 7 in the 49kg division, opts to compete in the 59kg category instead.

Sterckx owns the No. 11 spot in the 59kg class, which will be contested on Wednesday. 

The Filipino athletes already bound for Paris includes pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas.

More weightlifters are expected to qualify for Paris, with Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz (No. 8 in women’s 59kg), Vanessa Sarno (No. 5 in women’s 71kg), and John Ceniza (No. 6 in men’s 61kg) in the top 10 of the OQR as well.

Also set to see action in the World Cup that will run until April 11 are Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) and Kristel Macrohon (women’s 71kg). – Rappler.com