Delos Santos’ record-breaking feat in SEA Games reinforces praise from Hidilyn Diaz

CHONBURI, Thailand – When Hidilyn Diaz says you’re the future, she means it.

And Albert Ian delos Santos lived up to that billing as he set a new junior world record en route to a weightlifting silver in the men’s 71kg class in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games at the Chonburi Sports School here on Sunday, December 15.

The 19-year-old cleared 186kg in the clean and jerk to break his own junior world mark of 185kg he established in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Peru in May and finish with a total of 324kg, which netted a spot in the podium in his SEA Games debut. 

It was a performance that prompted Diaz — the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal — to call Delos Santos the future of Philippine weightlifting.

Delos Santos trains with Diaz and her husband-coach Julius Naranjo at their HD Weightlifting Academy in Jala-jala, Rizal. 

“It’s really a lot coming from her. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve looked up to her. And to have an opportunity to train with her and her husband, with the collaboration with my mom and dad, it’s been a blessing. I’m very thankful for everything,” said Delos Santos.

The pride of Zamboanga finished behind reigning world champion Weeraphon Wichuma, the Thai putting a show at home with a 347kg total highlighted by 195kg lift in clean and jerk that shattered his personal senior world record.

Delos Santos’ silver was the Philippines’ first weightlifting medal in this SEA Games after Diaz (women’s 58kg), Rosegie Ramos (women’s 48kg), and Jhodie Peralta (women’s 53kg) all fell short of the podium.

“I wanted to lift the team some way or another. Seeing them, I want to do better for them. I’m not doing this for myself, I want to do this for them. I love my team. We win as one. I just wanted to do it for them,” said Delos Santos.

Delos Santos admitted he was not expecting to set a new record, having failed to clear 185kg in recent training.

Also, he felt under the weather in the lead-up to the competition and dealt with cramps during the clean-and-jerk portion.

But being up there on the stage brought a different beast out of Delos Santos. 

“In future competitions, I know how to trust myself. I’m a different person when it comes to training and competition. That’s good reassurance,” he said. – Rappler.com