Philippines junior lifter shatters record, wins golds

MANILA, Philippines — For some, death in the family can undo a person in so many ways.

Not Filipino lifter Albert delos Santos.

Showing great resolve and iron will, Delos Santos overcame back injury and the grief of the recent passing of his father Alvin in copping a pair of gold medals – via a record-breaking show – in the IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt Monday.

From 136 kilograms in the snatch of the boys’ -71 kg section, Delos Santos summoned the last of his reserves and lifted 175 kgs. at first and then a record-setting 186 kgs. in the next in seizing the clean and jerk gold as well as the total with 326 kgs.

So impressive was the 19-year-old Zamboanga native who beat his closest pursuer Yash Khandagaleb of Iran by 17 kgs.

Angeline Colonia, for her part, pocketed a pair of silver in snatch and total in the women’s -48 kg.

“A star is born,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella.