Albert Ian Delos Santos delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2026 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Ningbo, China, setting two junior world records while finishing fourth in the men’s 70-kilogram division.
The Filipino lifter posted a 331-kilogram total, highlighted by a junior world record of 187kgs in the clean and jerk, to make his mark against the world’s top competitors in the senior-level competition.
Delos Santos also lifted 144kgs in the snatch, completing a campaign that underscored his potential to contend at the highest level of international weightlifting.
His 331kgs total established another junior world record, giving the young Filipino two new marks despite narrowly missing the podium in the overall standings.
While Delos Santos fell short of a medal, his performance provided another boost for the Philippine team, which had already secured two bronze medals through siblings Rose Jean and Rosegie Ramos in the women’s divisions earlier in the championships.
Rose Jean Ramos opened the Philippines’ medal haul with bronze in the snatch of the women’s 49kgs category, lifting 86kgs. She also registered 95kgs in the clean and jerk for a 181kgs total, good for fifth place overall.
Rosegie Ramos followed with another bronze in the women’s 53kgs snatch after successfully lifting 97kgs. She recorded 114kgs in the clean and jerk to finish with a 211kgs total.
The medals from the Ramos sisters gave the Philippines two podium finishes before Delos Santos’ record-setting performance added to the team’s impressive showing in Ningbo.
With the 2026 World Championships also serving as part of the qualification journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Filipinos’ performances offered encouraging signs as they continue their international campaign. (Adrian Co)
