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| With a new world junior record, Albert Delos Santos saved the day for the Filipino weightlifters moments after Hidilyn Diaz missed the podium. POC Media Pool |
CHONBURI, Thailand––Albert Delos Santos set a new world junior record on his way to capturing the silver medal in the men’s 71kg division of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games weightlifting competitions at the Chonburi Sports School on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Delos Santos broke his own world juniors record by one kilogram in the clean and jerk when he lifted 186.
He lifted 138 in the snatch, totaling 324, for the Philippines’ first medal in weightlifting.
Delos Santos set the old junior mark last October during the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway.
Weeraphon Wichuma of Thailand won the gold in world-record fashion when he also broke his own mark by one kilo, lifting 195 in the clean and jerk and 347 in the total.
The medal of Delos Santos came after Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz finished fourth in the women’s 58kg class.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist had a total lift of 200 kilograms after hitting 90 in the snatch and 110 in the clean and jerk. The 34-year-old Diaz missed the podium in her return to the SEA Games after her gold conquest in the Hanoi edition in 2022, but in the 55kg class.
Yodsarn Suratwadee of Thailand got the gold medal with a total of 224 kilograms after lifts of 96 in the snatch and 128 in the clean and jerk, with Natasya Beteyob of Indonesia taking the silver with 218 kilograms after a 98 in the snatch and 120 in the clean and jerk.
Diaz apologized for her failure to land a medal, admitting her preparation wasn’t at its best physically and mentally.
The two-time SEA Games gold medalist is bothered by an injury in her right knee and hasn’t competed for almost two years.
Diaz, however, promised to become better as she looks forward to more tournaments in the future, including the Olympic qualifiers for the Los Angeles Games next year.
“First, I want to say sorry, but I did my best. And this is my best for now, kasi may injury ako at nahihirapan ako mag-drop weight kasi lumaki ako. Pero it’s not an excuse. At the end of the day, hindi ako sumuko. Nag-prepare ako, and I’m happy to represent our country,” said Diaz.
“After not qualifying in Paris, medyo nawalan ako ng motivation, and this is my first international competition after 2024. I’m happy to be back again,” said Diaz.
“It’s not the physical training, it’s the mental training. Doon ako nahirapan. Tapos almost two years akong hindi naglaro. Na-miss ko rin maglaro sa Philippines at sa podium. I’m happy to be back,” she added.
Diaz got off to a good start with lifts of 88 and 90 but faltered on her third attempt at 92 in the snatch.
She registered 110 in her first lift at the clean and jerk, but failed in her attempts at 115 and 116 that would have given her an inside track at a medal.
Day 3 of Monday’s weightlifting competition will feature 2025 World Championship bronze medalist Elreen Ando entered in the women’s 63kg category.
