Manila: The Philippines achieved a significant milestone by clinching four additional medals at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships held in Cali, Colombia, on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Rhianne Cabalida from Cebu City emerged as a standout performer, claiming two silver medals in the snatch (88kg) and total (193kgs) categories, and a bronze in the clean and jerk (105kg) in the women's 69kg division. Meanwhile, American competitor Adelyn Jones dominated the event, securing gold in snatch (91kg), clean and jerk (114kg), and total (205kgs).
Ilenia Vella of Italy also showcased her strength by winning the silver in clean and jerk (106kg), while Edith Rios Rico of Mexico took bronze in snatch (86kg), and Salazar Bolanos earned bronze in total (188kgs).
In the men's 60kg division, Kirby Kent Alas-as from Zamboanga City added to the Philippines' medal tally by winning a silver medal in snatch (113kg). He finished fifth in clean and jerk (135kg) and fourth in total (248kgs). Huicab Mendez of Mexico captured the gold in clean and jerk (142kg) and total (250kgs), with Atabek Azamatov of Turkmenistan securing gold in snatch (116kg).
Cebuano weightlifter Jea Mae Palagtiw is set to compete in the women's 77kg category on Saturday. Notably, Cabalida, Alas-as, and Palagtiw are all making their international tournament debuts.
Previously, the Philippines had already garnered 10 medals, including four golds from Zamboanga City's Alexsandra Ann Diaz and Jay-R Colonia. Diaz broke new ground in the women's 48kg category by setting youth world records in clean and jerk (98kg) and total (175kg). Colonia shone in the men's 56kg division, earning gold in clean and jerk (140kg), along with silver medals in snatch (109kg) and total (249kg).
Jhodie Peralta, also hailing from Zamboanga City, contributed two silver medals for snatch (85kg) and total (188kgs), while Cebuano Althea Bacaro secured a silver in clean and jerk (80kg) and bronze in total (140kg) in the women's 44kg division.
The athletes are being guided by coaches Antonio Agustin Jr., Gregorio Colonia, Allen Jayfrus Diaz, and Christopher Bureros. Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella expressed his pride, stating, "Every lifter we sent to World Youth Championships won medals. This is SWP's motto. Win for the country. Lose and you go back to the barracks. Thank you to our national coaches, parents, Philippine Sports Commission, ICTSI, SM Group, AyalaLand, MVP Sports Foundation and to God be the glory. We have two more years to train and prepare these kids for the Los Angeles Olympics. We can do it. Laban Pilipinas!"
