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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Cousins from Zamboanga City shine in BP weightlifting

Cousins from Zamboanga City shine in BP weightlifting

Published Oct 27, 2025 04:04 pm

At A Glance

  • GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Cousins Kyle Nathan Kue and Al-Fhadrey Sabban made the Barangay Labangal Gym their personal playground as they figured in a tight duel for the weightlifting gold medal.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Cousins Kyle Nathan Kue and Al-Fhadrey Sabban made the Barangay Labangal Gym their personal playground as they figured in a tight duel for the weightlifting gold medal.
Turned out, it wasn't a huge surprise at all. The talent runs deep, with their grandfather, Reynerio Hipolito, a former member of the weightlifting national team.
The cousins from Zamboanga City finished 1-2 in the boys’ 12-year-old age group just as records were shattered both in swimming and athletics in the 2025 Batang Pinoy, Monday, Oct. 27, here.
Kue bagged the gold medal with a total lift of 150kgs while Sabban finished second with a 140kgs lift for their team, which continued to dominate weightlifting after getting two golds from it on the opening day.
“I was nervous po because my cousin is very good in clean and jerk,” Kue said, heaving a sigh of relief after his cousin Sabban failed to lift 86kgs in his final attempt in clean and jerk.
Though admittedly competitive against each other, Sabban said they were very close to each other, even spending their time playing mobile games after training.
“Parang change-change lang minsan siya gold, tapos magiging silver ako, minsan ako (gold). Palitan lang. Ang ginagawa namin sa training laban-laban din kami. Pero pagkatapos din ng laban mag cocongrats, wala naman personalan,” said Sabban.
Also winning gold for Zamboanga City was Cydrelle Andalahao following a total lift of 115kgs in the boys 38kg event.
Kue said he dreams of becoming just like his idol, Hidilyn Diaz, who was at the venue during his victory.
“It inspires me to work harder so I can be the next Olympian of the Philippines with many medals throughout my life and become famous like Hidilyn Diaz, my idol,” said Kue.
Interestingly, Diaz, who coaches for Rizal, had two of her protégés also winning in the girls’ 40kg event.
Stephanie Mandigma bagged the gold after lifting a total of 113kgs while her teammate Mary Joy Beralde captured the bronze with a lift of 104kgs. Darine Kristine Gana from Pasig City claimed the silver with a 105kg lift.
Over at the Antonio Acheron Sports Complex, a record was also shattered at the track oval after McGreggy Odal recorded 6.67 meters in the U18 long jump. Odal, who dreams of playing for University of Sto.Tomas, beat the previous Batang Pinoy record by just one centimeter.
“Di po ako nag eexpect na magbreak ako ng record at makakuha ng gold,” said the 16-year-old jumper who participated in Batang Pinoy for the first time.
Over at the swimming pool, 10 meet records were shattered with Sophia Rose Garra of Malabon City claiming her third gold medal in record-breaking fashion, clocking 2:25.54 – five seconds clear of the previous record in the girls 12-13 200m backstroke.
Also picking up her third gold mint was FJ Catherine Cruz of City of Mabalacat, recording 2:29.51 to rule the girls 16-17 200m backstroke.
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