Puentevella wants Chinese coach Gao to train Paris-bound lifters
SAMAHANG Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella knew it would take a world-class coach for Paris-bound Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza to have a legitimate shot at an Olympic gold medal.
That is why he is sending his lifters to the one person who helped Hidilyn Diaz capture the country’s historic Tokyo Olympics mint — Chinese coach Gao Kaiwen.
“Mr. Gao is coaching Taipei, I would like them to try training there for a month, waiting for the answer of Taipei,” said Mr. Puentevella during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Mr. Gao, of course, was Ms. Diaz’s long-time coach and was the biggest reason the latter delivered the country’s historic gold in the quadrennial games.
And that is why Mr. Puentevella may try to convince Mr. Gao from moving back to the country to coach the national squad.
“Personally, I want Mr. Gao because he understands Filipino character, he has been successful with Hidilyn (Diaz-Naranjo) and I have very high respect for him, he’s a world class coach,” he said.
“I want him to teach these kids the way he taught Hidilyn.”
Mmess. Sarno, Ando and Mr. Ceniza, for their part, vowed to fight for a medal in Paris.
Ms. Sarno is being tipped as the heiress to Ms. Diaz’s throne. — Joey Villar