The Philippines wrapped up a strong campaign at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, by securing five more gold medals on Friday, thanks to standout performances from Zamboanga City’s Jhodie Peralta and Albert Ian delos Santos.
Peralta claimed a golden treble in the Youth women’s 55kg division, sweeping the snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories. Meanwhile, Delos Santos dominated the clean and jerk and total in the Junior men’s 67kg class after placing fourth in the snatch.
Their victories added to the five gold medals won a day earlier by fellow lifters Jay-R Colonia, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, and Althea Bacaro.
Colonia, competing in his first international tournament, captured two golds (clean and jerk, and total) and a silver (snatch) in the Youth men’s 49kg category. Diaz ruled the snatch and total in the Youth women’s 45kg division and took bronze in the clean and jerk. Bacaro, just 13 years old, topped the snatch in the Youth women’s 40kg class and also secured silver in total and bronze in clean and jerk.
Zamboanga’s Angeline Colonia added a silver in snatch and a bronze in total in the Junior women’s 45kg category, finishing fourth in the clean and jerk.
Prince Keil delos Santos of Angono, Rizal placed fourth in both snatch and total, and sixth in the clean and jerk in the Junior men’s 55kg division.
Rosalinda Faustino, also from Zamboanga, was disqualified in the Junior women’s 49kg category after failing to meet the required body weight.
The Youth division is open to lifters aged 13 to 17, while the Junior division is for athletes aged 15 to 20.
The Philippine team was guided by coaches Antonio Agustin, Gregorio Colonia, Diwa Delos Santos (Zamboanga City), and Christopher Bureros (Cebu City).
“For the last five consecutive Olympics, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) has qualified athletes and even delivered the country’s first Olympic gold. In three years, a new wave of lifters will aim for more glory at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Winning 10 gold medals at this world-level event, which includes powerhouses like China, proves we are on the right path,” said SWP president Monico Puentevella.
He also expressed gratitude for the support from the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, SM Group, Ayala Land, ICTSI, the athletes’ parents, coaches, and the SWP Board, adding, “By God’s grace, we are moving forward with a new generation of champions.”
