Albert Ian Delos Santos during the 20th Asian Games. POC Media Pool
NAGOYA, Japan – Even if his father is no longer around, Filipino weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos still felt his presence in his latest achievement at the 20th Asian Games.
The 20-year-old captured bronze in the men's 70kg event on Saturday, making his mark in his debut in the continental showcase.
Before stepping on the competition platform, Delos Santos asked his late father for guidance in his biggest challenge yet.
"Midway through the warm-up, I covered myself with my towel and parang nilabas ko muna yung grief ko. Pinaiyak ko sa sarili ko kahit sa glit. At least mag-init yung mukha ko," Delos Santos told POC Media.
"So, yeah. I just spoke to him kahit mag-isa lang ako. Kasi ko pa, tulungan mo ako, pa watch over me. Di ko to sayangin lahat yung pinagturuan mo sa akin nung bata pa ako. Ito na, magpo-podium ako," he added.
The pride of Zamboanga City said he had a moment during the warm-up, which was reminiscent of his experience at the IWF Junior World Championships in Ismalia, Egypt.
"Grabeng coincidence. But ginamit ko siya as motivation. And at the same time, comfort na nandyan lang sa papa every time. No matter where I am, when I am," Delos Santos shared.
"Like, kasi out of all the studio lights na naka-open sa backroom, sa akin lang talaga yung mas malinaw, specifically sa platform ko. And, yun, sabi ko, inisip ko na lang. Sabi ko, it's too bright, baka ma-distract ako. Pero inisip ko na lang, maybe that's just Papa. Lighting the way for me," he explained.
Diwa Delos Santos, the mother of Albert Ian and former national team weightlifter, is beyond proud of her son's achievements.
"Super saya. Hindi maano yung kasiyahan ko kasi lahat kami [weightlifter] from papa niya, ako, ate niya. And then siya ngayon, siya naman na naglalaro," she told POC Media.
"Parang sabi ko, thank you Lord kasi binigyan mo kami ng chance.Hindi lang kami mag-asawa, hindi lang ate niya kundi si Ian. Then nanalo pa si Ian ng bronze. Thankful talaga ako," Diwa said.
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The Delos Santos matriarch admitted the journey to the podium was tough, given all the challenges like her falling ill and the formidable opponents her son had to face.
"Yung hinabol namin is number one. Olympic champion din yun. So, nung hindi niya nakuha yung second na team niya, sabi ko, ito na, Lord, thank you. Ibigay mo na talaga sa amin. Kasi nagbigay ka ng sign. So, sabi ko, isa na lang, isa na lang. Kunin mo lang yun," she said.
"Sabi ko, Lord, tulungan mo yung anak ko kasi alam mo naman yung mga ibang tao pag flag bearer tapos, ganoon. So, nandun yung pressure from the beginning," Diwa added.
After clinching bronze and breaking his own junior world and Asian records, Delos Santos is looking forward to starting the journey to the 2028 LA Olympics.
READ: How weightlifter Albert Ian Delos Santos turned grief into gold
Delos Santos expressed gratitude to his entire team which includes his mom, coach Julius Naranjo and everyone who continue to help him improve as weightlifter.
"Thank you so much for not giving up on me on times na maraming rason talaga for them to give up on me. Despite everything, push through din. And they helped me become the better person that I am," Delos Santos said.
"It's possible. Possible lahat. As long as I give myself the enough pressure, enough motivation to push myself all in all, posible," he said when asked about his biggest takeaway from Asian Games.