Albert Ian Delos Santos delivered a breakthrough performance in his Asian Games debut, winning bronze in the men’s 70kgs weightlifting event while resetting his own world junior record twice on Friday at the Nagoya Trade and Industry Center in Japan.
The 20-year-old Filipino saved his biggest lift for his final attempt in the clean and jerk, successfully raising 183kgs to break the world junior record for the second time in the competition.
Delos Santos entered the event holding the record at 180kgs set at the recent Asian Juniors Championships. He improved that mark to 181kgs on his second attempt before pushing it to 183kgs in his final lift.
The 183kgs effort also gave him enough cushion to secure the bronze medal ahead of Uzbekistan’s Adkhamjon Ergashev, who finished with 176kgs in the clean and jerk after failing to lift 180kgs and 181kgs.
Delos Santos admitted the bronze was unexpected after entering his first Asian Games with little pressure.
“I’m thankful. Unexpected, but palagi ako naman sinasabihan, ‘Have fun, no pressure,’” he said.
He also revealed the personal motivation behind every lift, carrying a photo of his late father, who passed away earlier this year.
“And every lift, ididikit ko po sa kanya. No matter what, sa kanya lang talaga,” said Albert Ian.
Delos Santos said a beam of light hitting his platform during the competition felt like a comforting moment from his father.
“Sabi ko, ‘Okay, thank you, Pa. Okay, nandito ka. Give me comfort,’” said Delos Santos.
The youngest weightlifter in the competition now leaves his Asian Games debut with a bronze medal and two new world junior records, providing another major milestone for Philippine weightlifting. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
