IT’S a whole new world for Vanessa Sarno, the soon-to-be queen of Philippine weightlifting.

Sarno, the heir-apparent to Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, is hoping — and praying — to seize the opportunity when it comes.

With her new-found success as the next most important weightlifting star, the 18-year-old fisherman’s daughter from Tagbilaran, Bohol is ready to step up and move to the next level.

“Our focus is the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nakahanda naman kaming daanan lahat na kinakailangan para maabot yun pangarap ko na Olympic gold, gaya kay ate Hidilyn,” said Sarno during the 23th “Sports On Air” program via Zoom recently.

Sarno, who made history with her record-smashing performances in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last month, is doing everything to attain superstardom and follow the footsteps of Diaz.

“Sa ngayon, bumalik na po ako ulit ng training. Si Coach Nick (Jalauag) na po ang nagha-handle ng training program namin. Paghahandaan talaga namin yung lahat ng games na qualifying for the Olympics. Nagtutulungan ang SWP (Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas) at ang mga coaches ko kaya sumusunod naman ako aa kanila,” added Sarno, who is scheduled to compete in Asian Youth and Juniors Championships in Uzbekistan next month.

Filling in the big shoe of Diaz seems to be a herculean task right now, but Sarno claimed there is no presssure at all on her part.

“Sa ngayon madami talaga ang nagsasabi na baka ako na ang sumunod sa yapak ni ate Hidilyn. Matagal ko na din po ito nadidinig. Pero sa totoo lang ay masaya po ako. Hindi ko iniisip yung pressure,” stressed Sarno.

“Ginagawa ko nga itong inspiration at motivation para mag work harder sa mga everyday training at next competition ko. Mas lalo kong gustong pagbutihin ang performance ko. ”

Looking back, Sarno credited SWP president Monico Puentevella and coaches Nick Jalauag and Issai Danao for her tremendous success in the sport.

“Sa simula, hindi talaga ako masyadong seryoso sa weightlifting dahil bata pa nga. Pero lagi ako hinihikayat ng mga coaches ko na si Mam Issai (Danao) at coach Nick (Jalauag). Sabi nila mag-pursige ako sa weightlifting dahil maraming benefits ito sa buhay at talagang makakatulong sa family ko,” shared Sarno.

“Kaya nung 2015 nakuha ako sa national team sa tulong na din nila. Kaya sobrang thankful ako kina coach Nick at coach Issai dahil mula simula nandyan na sila to support me,” she explained.

“Kahit nung natanggal ako sa national team nung 2017 at parang nawalan na ako ng gana, nandyan pa din sila. Lagi nila ako hinihikayat na bumalik sa training. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko na kung makabalik ako sa team, para sa akin talaga yun. Kung hindi po, ok lang at tanggap ko na hindi talaga yun para sa akin. Yun nga, nakuha uli ako after one local competition.”

Asked about the difficulties she encountered during the bubble training for the SEA Games, Sarno said the team worked very hard to overcome them.

“Sobrang hirap po ng preparations namin ng buong team for the SEA Games. Grabe ang paghahanda namin, lalo na kaming dalawa ni Coach Nick noong nasa Bohol pa kami, like everyday yung program. Habang palapit ng palapit ang SEA Games ay pahirap nang pahirap, lalo na pagdating sa Rizal nung nag-bubble training,” recalled Sarno.

She also welcomed the announcement of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, that the government sports agency will continue to support her training and preparations all the way to the Paris Olympics.

But it’s not all weightlifting for Sarno.

Studying and getting a college degree is also on her wish list.

“Plano ko po talaga mag-enrol uli for senior high. Tapos, mag college naman. Pangarap ko po na kumuha ng BS Accountancy at makapagtapos ng college,” said Sarno.

And her love life?

“Syempre dagdag inspirasyon siya sa akin,”said Sarno, referring to her boyfriend and fellow weightlifter Fernando Agad of Cebu.

“Ginagawa naming dalawa na inspiration sa career namin ang bawat isa. Parang kaming dalawa na din ang nagmo-motivate sa isa’t isa. Sabi nga, we bring out the best in each other.”

But for Sarno, love can wait.

It’s the Paris Olympics and nothing else on her mind. With reports from Gab Ferreras