Filipino weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos rules the men's 70kg junior category at the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships. Photo from the Uzbekistan Weightlifting Federation
MANILA — Filipino weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos made sure his final competition in the juniors division will be one for the books.
Last week, the pride of Zamboanga City swept the men's 70kg youth category at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
He topped the snatch (141kg), clean and jerk (180kg) and total (321 kg), winning three gold medals including the elusive one for snatch.
Delos Santos also set new world and Asian junior records in clean and jerk and total, further cementing his dominance in his weight class.
The achievement came on the heels of the weightlifter's 20th birthday, which made the victories sweeter this time around.
"First of all, relieving kasi last junior ko na ito. For me, there was a lot to lose. Kasi last year, I didn't get to get the gold in the total. So ito yung bawi ko sa sarili ko. And for my last trick, of course, I got a medal in snatch. And not only did I get a medal, I also got gold. So, I'm happy," he told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the HD LiftOff weightlifting competition in Makati City on Saturday.
Just like his golden performance at the IWF Junior World Championships in Egypt last May, Delos Santos paid tribute to his late father Alvin on the podium.
The younger Delos Santos always makes sure to honor his dad, who also served as his coach alongside his mom Diwa.
"I'm always doing this for him. And being able to be sa podium with him always puts a warm feeling in my heart. And finally, of course, yun yung pinag-uusapan namin dati. Yung maka-medal ako sa snatch, maka-medal ako sa snatch. And nagawa ko. And I just wish nakita niya," he shared.
"I wish he was still here. And of course, not only in the clean and jerk world record, but rather the total as well. Hindi ko nga na-realize na sa total din pala. So, all I can say is that I wish he was still here," Delos Santos added.
When asked about his most memorable victory in the junior level, Delos Santos pointed to the 2026 IWF Junior World Championships where he had to cope with the loss of his father, recovering from an injury and more.
READ: How weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos turned grief into gold
Beyond the medals and the records, Delos Santos sees the result as momentum for him entering another level of competition.
"Still Egypt. Since that was the best game ever. I had so much disadvantages talaga mentally, physically. And despite all that, nag-persevere parin ako. I'm still shocking myself with what I'm capable of when I'm super nervous. Nakakagulat rin pala na iba talaga. But at the same time, I don't want to lose my confidence. Because I don't want to really get ahead of myself. That's where some people fall off.
"It's a good transition to senior level. Since this September, I'll be competing for Asian Games. So by that time, I'll be already exposed to a bigger elite competition. So, I'm glad. I'm glad and also, of course, nervous. And it's good to be nervous. If you're not, there's something wrong," he explained.
While he's found success on the junior level, Delos Santos is not taking things lightly since he knows he will be facing more elite competitors in the seniors division.
"I don't want to really get ahead of myself talaga. That's where some people fall off.
And I'm scared of doing that. But I'm still wanting to be level-headed ba. Humble and everything," the 20-year-old said.
"Just have a good impression for seniors. I'm not too confident. But at the same time, I believe in myself. So, I just trust the process. And we'll see from there," he added.
After celebrating his victory and getting some rest, Delos Santos will resume training with the 20th Asian Games fast approaching.
The young weightlifter knows the battle has only begun, with the journey to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon.
"After Asian Games, I'll be moving up to 75kg. That's where the real heat is at. That's where I'm going to suffer. That's where I'm going to go through every pain and misery that I will ever go through in my sporting career. But I'm happy. I want that. I'm glad that I get to be a part of this really good journey for the Olympics," he said.
FROM THE ARCHIVES