Manila: Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella expressed optimism about the Philippines' prospects in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following the country's success at the recent International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru. Both the Philippines and China secured five gold medals each, a significant achievement for the Filipino athletes.
According to Philippines News Agency, Puentevella emphasized the significance of this accomplishment during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. He noted that the parity in performance between the Philippines and powerhouse China is a testament to the nation's growing capabilities in the sport. "In the World Youth last month, China won five gold medals and the Philippines won five golds also. That's why in the Los Angeles Olympics, it will be a fight between China and the Philippines," he stated.
Despite the limited budget compared to China, the Philippines managed to match their gold medal tally, which Puentevella described as a dream come true, considering the historical gap of 20 kilos between the two nations. Drawing from his personal experience witnessing Hidilyn Diaz clinch the country's first Olympic gold in Tokyo after her silver win in Rio, Puentevella expressed his desire to see more Filipino athletes reach similar heights. He highlighted the need for international exposure to harness the talents of young athletes.
National coach Patrick Cielo Lee and other key figures in Philippine sports attended the forum, which was supported by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPlus. Among the notable performers in Peru were Alexsandra Ann Diaz, who claimed golds in the women's 45kg snatch and total categories and a bronze in the clean and jerk. Althea Bacaro and Angeline Colonia also contributed to the medal haul with impressive performances in their respective categories.
Puentevella shared the international buzz surrounding the Filipino weightlifters, noting that there's a growing belief in their potential to secure gold in Los Angeles. He expressed gratitude towards Education Secretary Sonny Angara for facilitating weightlifting's inclusion in the Palarong Pambansa, enhancing the sport's development at the grassroots level. Puentevella also announced the upcoming National Open, set for June 7 to 13 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, as a platform to further showcase and develop local talent.
