PH lifter Delos Santos secures gold, silver medals in Kazakhstan

MANILA, July 9 ------ The Philippines collected two more medals to end its successful campaign in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Albert Ian Delos Santos of Zamboanga City lifted 177 kg. in the clean and jerk to win the gold medal in the Junior men's 71 kg. category of the event held at the Qazaqstan Arena.

Delos Santos, son of former national lifters Alvin and Diwa, tallied 313 kg. to secure the silver medal and was fifth in snatch (136 kg.). Uzbekistan's Diyorbek Ruzmetov won the gold medals in snatch (142 kg.) and total (319 kg.) while his compatriot Boburmirzo Yokubov took the bronze in snatch (139 kg.). Kazakhstan's Alikhan Askerbay bagged the silver in snatch (141 kg.) and the bronzes in the clean and jerk (169 kg.) and total (310 kg.).

The Filipino lifters, whose trip was funded by the Philippine Sports Commission, will be coming home with 16 medals, including Angeline Colonia's gold medal in snatch in the Junior women's 48kg category. The other medalists were Jhodie Peralta (3 silvers in Youth and 2 bronzes in Junior women’s 53 kg.), Jerick Icon Castro (1 silver and 2 bronzes, Youth men's 56 kg.), Princess Ann Diaz (1 silver and 2 bronzes, Youth women's 44 kg.), and Alexsandra Ann Diaz (1 silver and 1 bronze, Youth women's 48 kg.).

The Youth division is for athletes aged 13 to 17, while the Junior division is for competitors 15 to 20 years old. "Congratulations to Albert but I’m happier with the medals the whole team won. Those who did not get medals will sit it out and improve if they want to wear our national colors. That's the SWP way. Medal or you go back to the gym. Only then can you make the next trip. With China around, we’re fighting the best. Onwards to LA 2028," Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella said in a statement Monday.

Last May, the Philippines won 10 gold medals at the International Weightlifting Federation Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru.

Source: pna.gov.ph