Filipino weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos delivered a record-setting performance at the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, collecting three gold medals in the men’s 70kg class on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old topped all three medal events after lifting 141kg in the snatch and 180kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 321kg. His 180kg clean and jerk and 321kg total established new Asian and world junior records in the men’s 70kg category.
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Delos Santos Leads Philippine Gold Rush
Delos Santos’ sweep helped bring the Philippines’ gold medal tally in the competition to 16, alongside six silvers and nine bronzes.
His record-breaking showing also highlighted a strong overall performance by the country’s weightlifting contingent, with six other Filipino athletes contributing gold medals across different divisions.
Alexsandra Diaz, niece of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, secured three gold medals in the women’s 49kg category. She recorded 77kg in the snatch, 92kg in the clean and jerk, and 169kg in the total.
Jerick Icon Castro likewise completed a three-gold sweep in the men’s 60kg class after lifting 116kg in the snatch, 144kg in the clean and jerk, and 260kg in total.
Jhodie Peralta added two gold medals in the women’s 53kg class, winning with an 86kg snatch and a 102kg total. Althea Bacaro also took two golds in the youth women’s 45kg division, recording 83kg in the clean and jerk and 146kg in total.
Prince Kiel Delos Santos claimed gold in the men’s 60kg category with a 120kg snatch, while Angeline Colonia added another gold for the Philippines with an 80kg snatch in the women’s 49kg category.
A Strong Showing for Philippine Weightlifting
The results in Tashkent add to the Philippines’ growing presence in international weightlifting, particularly among its younger athletes. Delos Santos’ new records provide another milestone for the country’s next generation of lifters while the team’s overall medal haul reflects the depth of Filipino talent competing at the youth and junior levels.
The Philippines’ showing in the competition proves that our homegrown athletes are already competing at record-setting levels on the international stage, potentially strengthening the pipeline of future champions and giving more young Filipinos reason to pursue sports competitively.
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