Albert Ian Delos Santos claimed the Philippines’ first weightlifting medal at the 2026 Asian Games after placing third in the men’s 70-kilogram division on Saturday at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center in Nagoya, Japan.
The 20-year-old Filipino produced a combined 324 kilograms, lifting 141kgs in the snatch and 183kgs in the clean and jerk to secure the bronze medal in his Asian Games debut.
Delos Santos was the youngest competitor in the nine-athlete field but delivered a record-setting performance, with his 324kgs total establishing new junior world and junior Asian records.
His podium finish increased the Philippines’ medal count to 10 in the Aichi-Nagoya Games, with the delegation now owning two golds, two silvers and six bronzes as of this writing.
The bronze also marked a significant milestone for Delos Santos in his first appearance at the continental multi-sport event. (Adrian Co)
