Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) President Monico Puentevella expressed confidence in the country’s Olympic future following the Philippine team’s stellar performance in the 2024 IWF Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, where the country won five gold medals—matching powerhouse China.
“In the World Youth last month, China won five gold medals and the Philippines won five golds also,” Puentevella said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum. “That’s why in the Los Angeles Olympics (2028), it will be a fight between China and the Philippines.”
Despite the country’s smaller sports budget compared to China, the former PSC commissioner and Bacolod mayor praised the Filipino lifters’ determination and progress:
“Before, we were far from China. It’s like a dream. The difference was 20 kilos.”
Standout athletes from Peru include:
Alexsandra Ann Diaz (Zamboanga City) – 2 golds (snatch and total) and 1 bronze (clean and jerk) in women’s 45kg
Althea Bacaro (Cebu) – 1 gold in women’s 40kg (Youth)
Angeline Colonia (Zamboanga City) – 1 silver (snatch) and 1 bronze (total) in the Junior women’s 45kg
Puentevella, who personally witnessed Hidilyn Diaz win the Philippines’ historic first Olympic gold in Tokyo, believes that the new generation is ready to follow in her footsteps, with more international exposure as the key.
He also thanked Education Secretary Sonny Angara for supporting weightlifting’s inclusion in the Palarong Pambansa as a demonstration sport—an essential step in expanding the sport’s grassroots reach.
Puentevella ended with a bold prediction:
“When you beat China, you will surely qualify for the Olympics.”
The National Open for weightlifting is scheduled June 7–13 in Dumaguete City, serving as a critical step in scouting talents for future international campaigns.