Cebu: Cebu native Jea Mae Palagtiw bagged two silver medals Saturday, capping the Philippines' successful campaign at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships in Cali City, Colombia. Competing in her first international tournament, the 14-year-old ranked fourth in snatch (88kg) but placed second in clean and jerk (112kg) and total (200kgs) in the women's 77kg division.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Grade 9 student of University of Cebu (UC) won the gold medal at the Private Schools Athletic Association National Games in May. She was named to the Colombia-bound team after passing the tryouts in April, lifting a total of 193kgs (83-110). "I'm so happy because it's her first time to compete abroad and she was able to win medals," coach Christopher Bureros said in an interview. He has been training Palagtiw since she was seven.
The UC weightlifting team congratulated Palagtiw and Bureros through a Facebook post. 'This remarkable achievement is the result of years of hard work, discipline and unwavering commitment to excellence. Jea Mae's success is a proud moment not only for herself, but also for the University of Cebu, the UC Webmasters and the entire Filipino weightlifting community,' the UC Main Weightlifting Team Facebook post read.
The other Cebuano medalists were Rhianne Cabalida (two silvers and one bronze) in the women's 69kg division and Althea Bacaro (one silver and one bronze) in the women's 44kg division. Zamboanga City bets delivered nine medals, including four golds from Alexsandra Ann Diaz and Jay-R Colonia. Diaz, the niece of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, topped the women's 48kg category, lifting 77kg in snatch and setting new youth world records in clean and jerk (98kg) and total (175kg).
Colonia had one gold and two silvers in the men's 56kg division, followed by Jhodie Peralta (two silvers) in the women's 53kg division and Kirby Kent Alas-as (one silver) in the men's 60kg division. Antonio Agustin Jr., Gregorio Colonia and Allen Jayfrus Diaz are the other national coaches who joined the Colombia trip.
"With proper support and God's grace, we can produce more golds in the Olympics. We have what it takes. The future looks bright. Here we come, 2028 Los Angeles (Olympics)," Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said. "We can be the best after non-stop training. Nothing is impossible! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas (Long live the Philippines)!"
