CHONBURI. – Rosegie Ramos was a DNF (Did Not Finish) on Saturday as the Philippine weightlifting team started the 33rd Southeast Asian Games competition on the wrong foot.
The former two-time Asian junior champion came up empty-handed in the women’s 48kg division after a ‘no lift’ on all three attempts – first at 100 kilograms and the next two at 102 kilograms.
On the men’s side, Fernando Agan Jr. placed fifth with a total of 269 in the 60kg division, won by Theerapong Silachai of Thailand, who had 304.
Ramos, a 2024 World Championship bronze medalist, was left in tears after the conclusion of her event, with her last lift, an 83 in the snatch, good for a gold medal had it been a good lift.
Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana of Indonesia captured the gold medal with a 184 total, while 2025 world championship bronze winner Thanyathon Sukcharoen of Thailand took the silver with 183. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang of Vietnam placed third with 181.
Ramos, who will turn 22 on Monday, admitted losing her composure when she fouled on 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,” said Ramos.
“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,” said the Zamboanga City, native who has a personal best of 190 kilograms.
The weightlifting team will look to bounce back with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz seeing action in the women’s 58kg division on Sunday at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Manila time).
Also competing 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. local time).
