A former scavenger from Angono, Rizal took the limelight on a day favorite Rosegie Ramos, the Asian junior champion, felt weak but gamely held steady in the Smart-Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas National Open Championships in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
Vidal Anan, 18, who was discovered while she was collecting trash, bagged two gold medals by topping the clean and jerk with a 98-kg lift and a total combined weight of 176kgs in the women’s 49-kgs category.
Despite nursing a fever, Ramos persevered and took the gold in the snatch with an 82-kilogram effort on her third and final attempt.
Jhodie Peralta placed third with her 65kg in the snatch and 83 in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 148.
The 19-year-old Ramos won three gold medals in the same weight class at the recent Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
National coach Allen Diaz said Ramos showed the big heart of a champion by showing up and still managing to take a win.
Ramos managed only 93 in the clean and jerk and failed in her next two attempts.
Along with sister Rose Jean, current world youth record holder in the women’s 40kg category, and Vanessa Sarno, Ramos was part of the victorious Team Philippines that won a total of 15 gold medals in Tashkent.
