PH weightlifting star Vanessa Sarno accepts two-year ban after whereabouts failures—exonerated of doping

Filipino Olympic weightlifting standout Vanessa Sarno has accepted a two-year suspension from competition after committing three whereabouts filing failures in a 12-month span—an anti-doping violation unrelated to the use of prohibited substances.

The International Testing Agency (ITA), which oversees the anti-doping program for the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), confirmed that Sarno did not challenge the allegation. 

Instead, she agreed to the punishment via the “acceptance of consequences” process, as stipulated under Article 2.4 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules. Her suspension will last from August 4, 2025, to August 3, 2027.

 All competitive results she attained between January 1, 2025—when the rule violation occurred—and the start of her ban will be annulled, including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella clarified that Sarno’s failure was due to personal circumstances—she was pregnant at the time and subsequently gave birth—not an attempt to evade doping control. “Failure to report her whereabouts every quarter as per the rules for international lifters,” he explained, “She gave birth, that’s why. Not a drug case. Non-analytical ito,”.

As a result, Sarno will be absent from several high-profile competitions, including the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, and various Olympic qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

 To fill the void, Puentevella indicated that fellow lifter Elreen Ando may move up a weight class and assume Sarno’s role in the Japan-bound campaigns.

Sarno—a two-time SEA Games gold medalist and the 2020 Asian Championships titleholder—also made her Olympic debut in Paris in 2024, competing in the women’s 71-kg division. Unfortunately, she was unable to complete any of her first snatch attempts, resulting in a “Did Not Finish” finish.

Her career to date includes multiple Philippine records: a snatch of 108 kg and clean and jerk of 141 kg, both set in 2023. Her early promise was evident from youth competitions, including gold at the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships and at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

The sanction is undeniably a blow to Sarno’s trajectory, yet the context makes it clear that this was not a doping case but a procedural failure tied to her pregnancy. 

While she’ll miss key upcoming events and crucial development opportunities, her return in 2027 could see her resume pursuit of international honors—assuming she retains her form and motivation.

In the meantime, SWP appears to be rallying behind its broader roster, stressing that long-term plans “will not be affected by just one lifter,” as Puentevella put it 

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