"The living legend in weightlifting."
This is how a granddaughter describes her grandfather who once brought recognition and pride to the Philippines as a weightlifting olympian during the 1960s.
In a Facebook post on Friday (July 30), Yhara Ramirez shared the remarkable story of Lolo Artemio E. Rocamora, 87, who was a former Philippine Airforce veteran and an athlete.
Ramirez said Lolo Artemio once bagged an award for the Philippines when he won a bronze medal in Asian Championship Summer Olympics and landed at the 19th place in overall Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
"Gusto ko po sana Ipakilala at ipag malaki ang aming Papa/Lolo Siya po si Artemio E. Rocamora ipinanganak noong June 29 1934, isa siyang Philippine Airforce Veteran/Athlete noong na nagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa bilang 3rd Placer/Bronze winner sa Asian Championship kasabay ng light heavyweight 19th place naman sa overall Tokyo Summer Olympics noong 1964," wrote Ramirez.
Lolo Artemio was reminded of his hardword and sacrifices when he saw his fellow weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who recently won a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Now, out of amazement the former Olympian wants to meet and greet Diaz probably to say his salutations and congratulations to her in person.
"He was so amazed and remembered his journey nakarelate sya kasi totoo mahirap humanap ng sponsors, nahirapan daw sya magfocus noon kasi at the same time kailangan nyang kumayod para itaguyod ang pamilya. We will never get tired of listening to his stories," said Ramirez.
As of this writing, the said FB post has more than 25,000 reactions, and 7,600 shares.
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