Filipino weightlifters secure five gold medals
🏋️♂️🏆 Philippines Clean and Jerk their Way to Half a Dozen Gold Medals at the 2025 IWF Youth and Junior World Championships 🏆🏋️♂️
The Philippines stormed into the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, on May 1, 2025, with an impressive five gold medals.
Zamboanguenos, Jay-R Colonia and Alexsandra Ann Diaz, both making their international debut, set the tone for the Philippines' triumphant opening day. Jay-R snatched silver in the Youth men's 49kg category, before claiming two golds in the clean and jerk, and total. Alexsandra, on the other hand, dominated the Youth women's 45kg snatch and total, taking third in the clean and jerk.
Next in line was Cebuano Althea Bacaro. Competing in the Youth women's 40kg category, Althea snatched gold, took silver in the total, and bronze in the clean and jerk. Zamboanguena Angeline Colonia completed the Philippines' desirable haul in the Junior women's 45kgs. division. Angeline earned silver in the snatch and the bronze in the total, ending fourth in the clean and jerk.
Prince Keil Delos Santos of Angono, Rizal, joined the List of Valiant Gold Seekers, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Junior men's 55kg category's snatch and total, as well as the clean and jerk.
Inspired by her success, Althea shared her winning formula: "I'm just blessed and super proud to bring home the silver medal. Train with purpose, listen to the coach, and believe in yourself. Consistency and discipline are the keys to success."
National coach Christopher Bureros lauded Althea's resilience, stating, "I'm extremely proud of Althea's silver finish. Her discipline, focus, and heart brought her to the podium. Never underestimate the value of the right technique and mindset."
Philippine Sports Commission, MVP, SM Group, ICTSI, and Ayala Land were thanked by the Philippine Weightlifting Association (SWP) president, Monico Puentevella, for their support in setting the stage for the Philippines' Los Angeles Olympics run.
As the roads lead to Friday, Rosalinda Faustino (Junior Women’s 49kg), Jhodie Peralta (Youth/Junior Women’s 55kg), and Albert Ian Delos (division unspecified) gear up for their chance to add to the Philippines' gold medal count.
The coveted Youth division features athletes aged 13 to 17, while the Junior division is reserved for competitors aged 15 to 20.
With the Philippines securing a promising start, it's only a matter of time before they prove their dominance in this esteemed competition. Stay tuned for the updates! 🔥🏆🏋️♂️
Additional Info:
📍 During the Championships, notable victories were scored by China in the Junior Women’s 45kg, and Moldova in the Youth Men’s 55kg categories [1][3].
📍 More medal prospects are lined up, including Rosalinda Faustino, Jhodie Peralta, and Albert Ian Delos (division unspecified), who are scheduled to compete [3].
📍 Early reports suggest that the Philippines has secured a total of five gold medals across categories, though specific details about the additional golds and divisions are still forthcoming [3].
References:[1] Rappler.com. (2025, May 1). Filipino lifters clinch 5 golds in opening day of IWF Junior Worlds. Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://sports.rappler.com/olympics/422001-filipino-lifters-clinch-gold-iwf-junior-worlds
[3] Inquirer. (2025, May 1). Philippines bags 5 golds on Day 1 of IWF Youth, Junior World Championships in Peru. Retrieved May 3, 2025, from https://sports.inquirer.net/421981/philippines-bags-5-golds-on-day-1-of-iwf-youth-junior-world-championships-in-peru
- In the Junior Women’s 49kg category, Rosalinda Faustino is ready to add to the Philippines' gold medal count at the 2025 IWF Youth and Junior World Championships.
- Jhodie Peralta, competing in the Youth/Junior Women’s 55kg division, is another Filipino athlete looking to secure more gold for the Philippines.
- The exact division of Albert Ian Delos remains unspecified, but he too is gearing up to potentially bring home more gold medals for the Philippines.
- The Philippines dominated the Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, with an already impressive five gold medals, and it's expected that these athletes will further solidify their dominance in the competition.
- Zamboangueno Jay-R Colonia, who claimed two golds in the clean and jerk and total, and Cebuano Althea Bacaro, who snatched gold in the Youth women's 40kg category, are two examples of the Filipino weightlifters who have already brought home gold medals.
- The Philippines will face competition from other countries, such as China (who won in the Junior Women’s 45kg category) and Moldova (who won in the Youth Men’s 55kg category), but with their strong start, the Philippines is poised to assert its dominance in the competition.
