The future of Philippine weightlifting looks bright after two lifters pocketed three gold medals in the IWF World Youth Championships in Durres, Albania over the weekend.

Prince Kiel Delos Santos, center, shares the podium with teammate Eron Borres, left, in the men's 49kg division of the IWF World Youth Championships in Durres, Albania. (Photo courtesy of Monico Puentevella)

Prince Kiel Delos Santos ruled the men’s 49kg with a total lift of 205kg. He also clinched the snatch gold with a lift of 92kg and came away with a silver medal in the clean and jerk with a 113kg.

Sharing the podium with Delos Santos was Eron Borres, who leaned on his golden performance in clean and jerk where he lifted 114kg to finish silver with a total lift of 201kg.

He finished bronze in snatch with 87kg.

“This is the future of PH weightlifting. The boys have finally arrived,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella.

“It’s always been the girls and the women. Now, we’re also fighting to be the world’s best even in the boys and men’s category.”

Weightlifting has put the country in the international map courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz, who not only won Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games but also became a world champion in her weight division.

There are also Elreen Ando, a Tokyo Olympian and a silver medalist at the 2020 Asian Championships, and Rosegie Ramos, the reigning Asian Junior Champion in her division.