Cebuano weightlifting coach Ramon Solis: More needs to be done for our weightlifters to prepare them for the World Championships
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Olympic weightlifting coach Ramon Solis is asking for additional support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to help them in their preparation for the upcoming World Weightlifting Championships slated from December 7 to 17 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In an interview with CDN Digital, Solis, the coach of Cebuana Olympian Elreen Ando, said they specifically need a masseur, a nutritionist, new sets of weightlifting plates, and a sauna heading to the world championships.
He added that these things in training are crucial for his weightlifters’ strength, conditioning, and recovery.
“I have to request to PSC a masseur, and a nutritionist because right now, we’re the only ones who improvise our diet to maintain my weightlifters’ desired weight,” said Solis.
“Right now, the weightlifters are using their meal allowances for their vitamins and supplements.”
Solis, along with fellow Cebuano weightlifting coach Christopher Boreros is supervising the training of Ando, John Febuar Ceniza, and Dexter Tabique, who are all vying in December.
He added that they would also request the PSC for additional weightlifting plates since the sets they’re currently using already have cracks.
“We also requested three sets of plates to PSC because what we have right now are full of cracks. It’s difficult for our weightlifters to maintain their balance while snatching because the plates’ rubber coverings are already peeling off,” said Solis.
Solis said that the additional plates would also help his weightlifters have their own plates and won’t make them wait in line for their turn to do their routines.
Last on Solis’s list of requests is having access to a sauna facility. He said that his weightlifters need a sauna to manage their weight.
He pointed out that the country’s first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz has her nutritionist, conditioning trainer, and masseur, which played crucial roles in her success in the Tokyo Olympics.
Solis said that aside from helping his weightlifters achieve their optimum shape, it’s also a morale booster to receive everything they need for the crucial competition that serves as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics. /rcg
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