PARIS – After its historic performance in the 2020 Tokyo Games, the Philippine weightlifting sank to its lowest in recent memory, and its fall from grace could be likened to a TV soap opera.

Two DNF’s (did not finish) cards in three days – the latest by world No. 4 Vanessa Sarno in the 71kg class in the Paris Olympics – have dropped the association to the abyss of despair.

In front of Tokyo Games heroine Hidilyn Diaz, Sarno bombed out earlier of the medal race as she failed to hurdle her declared starting lift of 100kg in the snatch three times on Friday, Aug. 9, at the South Paris Arena 6 in Versailles – southwest of the French capital. 

It was a terrible scene never seen before from a PH team in the grandest stage of all competitions, prompting a jaded sportswriter back in Manila to say: “Bakit two DNFs tayo? Walang ganyan noong araw.”

Even Sarno, touted as the next Diaz having dominated almost all events she took part in a decorated junior career, was aghast with her performance.

Sarno, the second youngest in the 12-player contest at 20, blamed the “toxic environment” she was into heading to the Olympics for a forgettable showing.

“Ang pangit po pag ganoon yung environment while preparing for Olympics kasi aminado po ako na naging mahina po yung mentality ko po pagdating sa mga tao na nasa paligid ko po na sobrang toxic,” said the teary-eyed Sarno.

And the root of it all is the late arrival of Sarno’s personal coach and ‘father figure’ Richard Pep Agosto.

“He’s the one supporting and guiding me from the start. He has trust in me and he’s one who keeps on pushing me,” said Sarno.

Tasked to handle the PH team here were Sec-Gen Patrick Lee and coach Nicolas Jaluag but Sarno, John Febua Ceniza and Elreen Ando want to be handled by Agosto and Christopher Bureros.

“Kasi po, sa dami po nangyari, sa lahat po ng injuries, pag wala ako, hindi ako nagpo-podium, parang wala rin ako sa kanila. So parang nung all throughout ng qualifying journey ko, doon lang sila ulit nagpakita ng concern nung na-qualify na ako, nung sure na nakapag-qualify ako,” added Sarno.

Getting little help from the association headed by Bacolod politician Monico Monico Puentevella, Sarno said they asked help from the Philippine Olympic Committee to bring in Agosto, who was earlier suspended for assault in Cebu.

“I asked our association to let my personal coach handle me for mental toughness, but they declined,” said Sarno.

In an executive decision, the POC, headed by Tagaytay Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, obliged to the request of the three.

Even upon his arrival, Agosto felt he was alone in the PH cause.

“They are not talking to me,” said Agosto.

Puentevella said he will hold a press conference once they get home to air their side.

Snatching 100kg has been a routine in the past, but to the horror of everyone, Sarno was unsuccessful thrice with an interval of two minutes each. 

To that, Sarno apologized to all her loyal supporters, saying: “Gusto ko lang po sabihin sa lahat po nang sumusuporta po sa akin na sana patuloy niyo pa rin po akong suportahan.”

She even declared that she will bounce back for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“Abangan niyo po ako sa susunod na Olympics po,” said Sarno in trembling voice.

The three-player PH weightlifting team started ominously when Ceniza also did not finish in the men’s 61kg class after his botched bid to clear the 125kg he declared as his starting lift in the snatch.

A PH team official who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed Ceniza’s forgettable showing to a shoulder injury.

“Grabe iyak nya,” he said. “Sobra masama ang loob.”

Ceniza only managed to compete with the help of painkillers.

Of the three, only Ando, the very same who ended Diaz’s Olympic journey, managed to finish – a respectable one.

Ando wound up 6th in a field loaded with top caliber rivals.