Philippines sets off for Asian weightlifting competition
The 2025 Youth and Junior Asian Weightlifting Championships are set to commence on July 4, 2025, with the Philippines fielding a strong and promising delegation.
Leading the charge for the Philippines is Alexsandra Ann Diaz, a rising star in the weightlifting world. Diaz clinched double gold in the women's 45kg category at the World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, last May, and is expected to make a significant impact at the Asian Championships.
Joining Diaz in the competition are Johdi Peralta, Albert Ian Delos Santos, Prince Keil Delos Santos, Angeline Colonia, Mango Prince David Tarro, and Jerick Icon Castro, all of whom have shown potential to qualify for the Olympics. Peralta, in particular, swept three golds in the junior women's 55kg class in Lima.
The team will be mentored by national coaches Edmundo Jose Cardano, Diwa Delos Santos, and Olympian Nestor Colonia. Patrick Lee, who has been accompanying the team in recent international tournaments, will continue to lead the squad at the Asian Championships.
The Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) continues to support the development of young weightlifters with the goal of nurturing future Olympians in the mold of Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the country's Olympic gold medalist. The Philippine Sports Commission is also backing the weightlifting team.
The Filipino delegation departed for Astana, Kazakhstan on June 30, brimming with optimism and building on recent successes. The team aims to maintain a competitive edge against other Asian powerhouses and continue the Philippines' tradition of strong performances in youth and junior competitions.
Here's a summary of the key details:
**Event**: 2025 Youth and Junior Asian Weightlifting Championships **Dates**: Starting July 4, 2025 **Filipino Team Leader**: Alexsandra Ann Diaz **Other Notable Lifters**: Johdi Peralta, Albert Ian Delos Santos, Jay-R Colonia (previous notable youth talents), Angeline Colonia, Mango Prince David Tarro, Jerick Icon Castro **Coach**: Patrick Lee **Goal**: Medal contention, talent development for future Olympics
This information reflects the Philippines' significant commitment to strengthening its youth weightlifting program and aiming for continued international success.
In the upcoming 2025 Youth and Junior Asian Weightlifting Championships, Cebu-based weightlifter Alexsandra Ann Diaz will be leading the Filipino team, aiming to make a significant impact, as she did by clinching double gold in the women's 45kg category at the World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, last May. The team includes Johdi Peralta, who swept three golds in the junior women's 55kg class in Lima and Albert Ian Delos Santos, among others, with the goal of competing in sports like football in future Olympics. This commitment to sports development and international success is a continuation of the Philippines' focus on nurturing future Olympic weightlifters, following the footsteps of Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the country's Olympic gold medalist.
