HANGZHOU, China – By this time, weightlifter Vanessa Sarno appeared to have regained her full strength and confidence back in time for her much awaited campaign in the -76-kilogram class on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the the Asia Games here.

The former Asian champion is against a bevy of top-notch weightlifters, especially from the controversial team from North Korea, and even from the host nation so it is imperative for her to give it her all.

In the eyes of weightlifting president Monico Puentevella, Sarno looks pretty good, her aura is as fresh as newly-harvested sampaguita flowers unlike her condition more than two weeks ago when she hurt her left elbow during the World Championships in Riyadh.

She immediately quit after feeling a burning sensation.

“Hopefully she will do better this time. Pero lalaban yan and magme-medal yan,” said Puentevella who is looking for another great performance from her after the bronze medal win by Elreen Ann Ando in the women’s 64kg Tuesday.

That win enabled Puentevella to finally heave a sigh of relief after the unexpected defeat of Hidily Diaz, who like Ando also competed in higher weight category.

Ando’s natural weight is 59kg, but moved up to 64kg so as not to face Diaz head on. Diaz’s weight of 55kg was also scrapped, also forcing her to move up, which proved catastrophic.  

But the Olympic veteran from Cebu intends to revert back to her normal weight of 59kg, and will likely challenge Diaz for the country’s  lone bet in the division.

Going back to Sarno, barring any untoward incident, she is once rare to stamp her class the way she ruled the Asian Championhips recently.

That will be good for Team PH, which losing its top gold medal prospect one after another.

“I will try by best, ibigay ko na lahat para sa bayan,” said Sarno, who is hoping not face any North Korean opponent.