THERE is enough talent for Philippine weightlifting to last for another generation.
It produced two more yesterday in Prince Keil Delos Santos and Eron Borres, who dominated the boys’ -49-kilogram division of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships in Durres, Albania.
Mr. Delos Santos, who hails from Angono, Rizal, struck gold in the total and snatch where he lifted a 205 kg and a 92 kg, respectively, while Mr. Borres, who is from Cebu, snatched the mint in the clean and jerk with a 114 kg in the same weight class.
In all, Mr. Delos Santos had an additional silver in the clean and jerk where he had a 113 kg while Mr. Borres copped an extra silver in total where he had a 201 kg and a bronze in snatch where he had an 87 kg.
And expect more in the coming days as three more Filipinos including Angeline Colonia (40 kg), a 16-year-old from Zamboanga City who is a former Asian and World Youth gold winner, are seeking glory in the next few days.
Also in vying for gold are Rosalinda Faustino and Albert Ian delos Santos, who are both from Zamboanga City where Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz came from.
“These are the future of Philippine weightlifting,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella. “The boys have finally arrived, it’s always been the girls and women.”
“We’re fighting now to be the world’s best even in the boys and men’s categories,” he added while thanking the Philippine Sports Commission, the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and SM for backing the team. — Joey Villar
