All news tagged PhilippineWeightlifting

He was told “no.” So he lifted. And eventually, he lifted his way to the Olympics.

Long before John Ceniza became an Olympic weightlifter, he was a young boy from Pasil, Cebu, who knew the harsh realities of poverty.

Raised by his grandmother, Ceniza grew up with very little. There were times when putting food on the table meant eating rice with nothing more than soy sauce or fish sauce.

As a child, he worked as an errand boy and carried wood in exchange for whatever small amount of money he could earn.

For Ceniza, survival came before sports.

But an unlikely moment involving his own brother would eventually change the direction of his life.

Ceniza discovered weightlifting almost by accident after his brother acquired new gym equipment—but refused to let him use it.

It was a simple rejection.

A small “no.”

But instead of walking away, Ceniza found himself even more determined to try.

What began with curiosity eventually became a passion. The boy who once struggled simply to get enough food would go on to dedicate himself to one of the most demanding sports in the world.

Every lift became another step away from the circumstances he was born into.

Every training session became another opportunity to prove that his beginnings did not have to define his destination.

And eventually, Ceniza reached the biggest stage of them all—the Olympic Games.

His journey is a powerful reminder that sporting greatness does not always begin in elite facilities or with access to every advantage.

Sometimes, it begins in the most unlikely places.

Sometimes, it begins with poverty.

Sometimes, it begins with a child simply wanting to try something he was told he couldn't do.

And sometimes, one small “no” can become the motivation to keep lifting until the entire world takes notice.

From Pasil, Cebu, to the Olympics, John Ceniza's journey is more than a weightlifting story.

It is a story about hunger, resilience, determination—and refusing to let circumstances decide how high you can rise.

He started with almost nothing. But he kept lifting until he had earned his place among the world's best.

That is the kind of story Philippine sports should never stop telling.

There was a time when Philippine weightlifting was defined by a single name. Today, the sport tells a much bigger story.

As the country sends a 13-athlete delegation to the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Philippine weightlifting continues to demonstrate that its success extends far beyond one generation. The emergence of young stars Albert Ian Delos Santos, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, Jhodie Peralta, and several other rising lifters reflects a program steadily producing athletes capable of competing—and winning—on the international stage.

The team's campaign comes with high expectations, and for good reason.

Delos Santos enters the continental championships as one of the country's brightest prospects after capturing the gold medal in the 71-kilogram division at the IWF Junior World Championships in Egypt earlier this year. His campaign was highlighted by a world-record performance in the clean and jerk, cementing his status among the world's elite junior lifters.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Alexsandra Ann Diaz continues to establish herself as one of the sport's fastest-rising stars. Fresh from a spectacular performance at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia, Diaz claimed three gold medals while setting two world records in the girls' 48-kilogram division.

Although she carries the Diaz surname and is the niece of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, Alexsandra is steadily proving that her accomplishments belong to her alone. Her rapid rise through the international ranks is the product of discipline, preparation, and consistent excellence on the platform.

Another key member of the Philippine contingent is Jhodie Peralta, who continues to build on her own international credentials. Having already earned a silver medal at the world level, Peralta adds further depth to a Philippine squad that is no longer dependent on a handful of standout performers.

Perhaps the most encouraging development is the overall strength of the delegation.

Instead of relying on one or two elite athletes, the Philippines now boasts a growing pool of young lifters capable of challenging for medals across multiple weight categories. This reflects years of investment in grassroots development, improved coaching, and increased opportunities for international competition.

Sustained excellence in any sport is built on continuity. Developing young athletes, exposing them to world-class competition, and providing them with the resources to improve creates a foundation that extends beyond individual success. Philippine weightlifting appears to be following that blueprint.

International tournaments such as the Asian Youth and Junior Championships serve as more than medal opportunities. They are vital stepping stones toward future appearances at the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, World Championships, and ultimately the Olympic Games.

For many members of this squad, Tashkent represents another opportunity to gain valuable experience while continuing to test themselves against Asia's strongest weightlifting nations.

As Philippine weightlifting enters a new era, the narrative has evolved from celebrating a single trailblazer to recognizing an expanding roster of world-class talents. Delos Santos, Diaz, Peralta, and their teammates symbolize a program that is no longer built around one champion but around a sustainable pipeline of elite athletes.

The future of Philippine weightlifting is no longer a distant promise—it is already taking shape. With continued support, consistent development, and unwavering belief in the country's young lifters, the Philippines is positioning itself to remain a force in international weightlifting for years to come.

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Zamboangueña weightlifting standout Angeline Colonia is setting her sights on greater achievements after clinching a gold medal in the snatch event at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held from July 4 to 10 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Competing in the Junior Women’s 48kg division, Colonia lifted 77 kilograms in the snatch to top the category and earn gold. She also placed fourth in both the clean and jerk (88 kg) and overall total (165 kg).

"I'm so happy. I just prayed for a good performance. I did not expect to win the gold in snatch," Colonia shared in an interview on Wednesday, July 30, her voice reflecting both gratitude and surprise.

The victory in Kazakhstan comes just months after Colonia’s strong showing at the World Youth and Junior Championships in Lima, Peru last May, where she bagged a silver in snatch and bronze in total while competing in the Junior 45kg division.

Colonia was among a group of young Zamboangueño athletes honored by Mayor Khymer Olaso during the city’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday, July 28, at Zamboanga City Hall.