The Philippines could win more medals in weightlifting in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The possibility was raised after Thailand, rocked by doping scandal, made plans to voluntarily ban their athletes from joining international weightlifting meets in the next two years.
And this could include the coming SEA Games, which Thailand is seen as among the Philippines’ top rivals.
Because of this, there are plans to turn the weightlifting competitions of the biennial meet into an Olympic qualifying event.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said this after he was informed that Thailand may not send weightlifting athletes here for the Games.
“If we can have more medals, that’s good. Thailand is perennial rival in the SEA Games and the Olympics,” said Puentevella.
Three weeks ago, the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association (TAWA) decided to voluntarily ban itself from all international weightlifting meets.
According to reports, the decision was made after eight Thai lifters tested positive for banned substances at last year’s World Championships.
Despite their sanction, Thailand will still be able to host the 2019 World Championships, according to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
According to IWF rules, any nation with three or more lifters who have tested positive in a calendar year faces a ban of up to four years.
So far, the IWF has previously suspended nine countries for repeated doping offenses.
Because of this, the Thais are set withdraw from joining international events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Thailand’s decision was made public three weeks ago.
Puentevella said that the absence of Thailand will mean that the Philippines will only face challenges from other contenders like Indonesia and Vietnam.
