Thomasian powerlifter Ashley Rose Cruz reset multiple Asian junior records on her way to a silver-medal finish in the women’s -84 kg division of the 2026 Asian Sub-Juniors & Juniors Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships and University Cup in Hainan, China, from May 10 to 15.
Cruz posted a total lift of 475.0 kilograms to finish second in the women’s junior classic category, highlighted by a 200.0-kg squat, a 177.5-kg deadlift and an overall total that all became new Asian junior records in her division.
Cruz, a graduating student of thr College of Rehabilitation, also recorded a 102.5-kg bench press to complete her podium campaign.
In the junior classic team event, the Filipinas placed second overall, with Cruz leading the campaign alongside silver medalist Jane Erasmo (-57 kg) and bronze medalist Denabea Emry Catapang (-57 kg).
In the sub-juniors classic team category, Lyra Shane Silvano (first place, -43 kg) and Khieszia Dhanielle Narrall (second place, -43 kg) helped the team finish fourth overall.
The UST standout improved on her marks from last year’s edition, where she competed in the -76 kg class and held the Asian junior squat record at 173 kg.
Her shift to the -84 kg division saw her surpass that figure by 27 kilograms while setting new records across multiple lifts.
“Nakakagulat kasi malaki ‘yong strength gain sa another weight class kaya kinailangan ko siyang habulin, pero happy naman ako na sa training nagawa ko siya,” Cruz, a graduating sports science student, told the Varsitarian.
“Parang underweight pa ako noon—82.6 ako, mga kalaban ko 83.6—kaya naging dikit ‘yong laban… Sa training, hindi siya nakafocus sa isang event lang; nag-iba lahat kaya ang daming adjustments na nangyari.”
Cruz also sustained her dominant run in the equipped division, capturing gold with a 517.5-kg total powered by lifts of 227.5 kg in squat, 117.5 kg in bench press and 177.5 kg in deadlift.
Her performance lifted the Philippines to a first-place finish in the women’s junior equipped team standings alongside Erasmo, who also topped the -57 kg division.
Silvano (first place, -47 kg) and Narrall (second place, -43 kg) also secured second place in the team standings for the sub-junior equipped category.
The Philippine men’s team also produced podium finishes in their respective divisions, with juniors Rhadlee Marzan, Jerene Angelo Salvador, Angelo Miguel Galon and John Leorelle Almayda, along with sub-junior Raffi Alec Ramos, delivering medals in the classic competition.
Cruz is set to compete next in the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships from Aug. 18 to 29 in Sun City, South Africa.
