Manila: The Philippines is set to send a team of 13 athletes to compete in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships scheduled from August 7 to 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Leading the charge is Albert Delos Santos from Zamboanga City, competing in the Youth 70kg category. Delos Santos recently made headlines by winning the 71kg title and setting a new world record in the clean and jerk at the IWF World Junior Championships held in Ismailia, Egypt last May.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine roster also includes Zamboangue±os Althea Bacaro (W45kg, Youth), Alexsandra Ann Diaz (W49, Youth and Junior), Angeline Colonia (W49, Junior), Jhodie Peralta (W53, Youth and Junior), and Rosalinda Faustino (W57, Junior). Joining them are M55 Jay-r Colonia (M55, Youth), Kirby Kent Alas-as (M60, Youth), and Mango Prince David Tarro (M65, Junior). Other athletes representing the country are Jea Mae Palagtiw (W69, Youth) and Rhianne Cabalida (W77, Youth) from Cebu City, along with Jerick Icon Castro (M60, Youth) and Prince Keil Delos Santos (M60, Junior) from Angono, Rizal.

The coaching team for this competition includes Gregorio Colonia, Patrick Cielo Lee, Allen Jayfrus Diaz, Diwa Delos Santos, and Kelle Kay Rojas. The delegation will be led by Monico Puentevella, president of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, who will oversee the team's departure on August 3.

This participation follows the Philippines' impressive performance at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia, where they secured a total of 16 medals. The medalists included Alexsandra Ann Diaz with three golds, Angeline Colonia with one gold and two silvers, Jhodie Peralta with two silvers, Jea Mae Palagtiw with two silvers, Althea Bacaro with one silver and one bronze, Rhianne Cabalida with two silvers and one bronze, and Kirby Kent Alas-as with one silver.