All news tagged Weightlifting

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.

If your goal is publication, this version reads like a feature from a national sports section, blending factual reporting with analysis while maintaining a polished journalistic tone.

Filipina weightlifter Jhodie Peralta delivered a strong showing at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, capturing medals in both the snatch and clean and jerk events of the Girls’ 57-kg category.

Peralta came close to clinching gold in the snatch, lifting 85 kg and 87 kg before narrowly missing her final attempt. Her 87-kg lift was enough to secure the silver medal, just behind North Korea’s Hae Yon Pak, who topped the event with 88 kg—a new World and Asian Youth record.

“I was so close, but I will strive to improve next time,” Peralta told POC Media following her podium finish.

In the clean and jerk, Peralta managed a 100-kg lift to claim the bronze medal after unsuccessful tries at 105 kg and 107 kg. Pak once again dominated the event, setting new world and continental marks with a 107-kg lift, while Vietnam’s Lien Y earned silver with a total of 188 kg.

Peralta’s double-podium performance marked another proud moment for the Philippines in the continental youth stage, highlighting her potential as one of the country’s emerging weightlifting stars.

Despite missing out on the Paris Olympics in 2024, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo remains undeterred. The country’s first Olympic gold medalist is now focused on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand, where she will compete in the women’s 58-kilogram division.

“I’m preparing for the SEA Games. Maglalaro po ako ngayong December. Again, depende sa Philippine delegation, pero maglalaro po ako,” Diaz-Naranjo shared, her determination unwavering.

For the Filipina weightlifting icon, representing the nation remains central to her career. “Bumabalik ako parati sa why. It’s always to represent my country and doing my best for the Philippines in weightlifting and also to inspire young Filipinos,” she said.

Diaz-Naranjo already boasts two SEA Games gold medals in the 55kg category and two silvers in the 58kg class, but she knows each competition demands renewed commitment.

Balancing Acts: Training, Coaching, and Inspiring the Youth

While preparing for the SEA Games, Diaz-Naranjo juggles multiple roles: mentoring young lifters for Batang Pinoy, giving motivational talks, and pushing grassroots development in weightlifting.

“Yes, [I’m] very busy. Pero ayun nga, kung may tinatarget ka, you prioritize training kahit saan ka man. Kaya tinatanong ko talaga sa hotel kung may gym ba sila. Baka pwede akong mag-training doon,” she explained.

She often trains before or after coaching sessions to maintain her own focus. “Hindi ko sinasabayan na training and coaching… minsan nag-training ako before or after nila para makapag-focus ako,” she added.

Building Back Discipline and Focus

With less than three months before the SEA Games, Diaz-Naranjo admitted she’s still finding her rhythm. “How prepared? Sorry to say, nasa 70 pa lang. So, restart ako. Nag-training ako, pero iba yung talagang from mag-start ako sa anong ginawa ko nung sa Olympics,” she shared.

Her preparation is both physical and mental, with renewed emphasis on mindset and weekly mental training. She’s also prioritizing injury prevention and diet as she balances her demanding schedule with consistent workouts.

Olympian weightlifter Vanessa Sarno will be sidelined indefinitely after accepting a two-year ban from the International Testing Agency (ITA) for an alleged anti-doping rule violation, combined with personal circumstances including her pregnancy.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella confirmed that the 20-year-old Asian champion and SEA Games gold medalist is currently on leave from the national team. 

“She got pregnant,” Puentevella shared, adding that Sarno has been away from the squad for months.

According to the ITA, Sarno’s suspension began on August 4, 2025, and runs until August 3, 2027, following three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period. She did not contest the sanction.

Puentevella emphasized that Sarno’s absence is primarily due to her failure to report and her personal situation, declining further comment on the doping issue.

“She’s out for failure to report,” Puentevella added.

Sarno, long regarded as the heir apparent to Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, was expected to spearhead the Philippines’ weightlifting campaign in upcoming international events. With her absence, the country faces a significant gap in its medal hopes.

Puentevella declined to comment further on the doping issue but reiterated that Sarno’s absence from the national team was primarily due to failure to report and her personal situation.

Sarno, widely seen as the heir apparent to Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz, was expected to lead the country’s weightlifting campaign in upcoming international tournaments. 

With her sidelined, Philippine weightlifting faces a significant gap in its medal hopes.

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. 

Another bronze medal was delivered by Rosegie Ramos for the six-man Philippines team in the IWF World Championships in Bahrain. 

The 20-year-old weightlifter achieved a total lift of 88kgs in the snatch and 105kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 193kgs in the 49-kg category.

Ri Song Gum of North Korea dominated the women’s 49-kg event after lifting a total of 213kgs behind a snatch of 91kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 122kgs.

Meanwhile, Linxiang Xiang setteled for a silver after lifting a snatch of 92kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 120kgs for a total lift of 212kgs.

Her success was followed by another bronze medal for the Philippines when Fernando Agad Jr. excelled in the men’s 55-kg category.

After receiving the medal, the weightlifter from Zamboanga City expressed her gratitude in a long post on her official social media page.