MANILA – The Philippines pocketed five gold medals on Thursday at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth and Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru.

Jay-R Colonia of Zamboanga City delivered two gold medals (clean and jerk, and total) and a silver (snatch) in the Youth men's 49kg. category in his first international competition.

Alexsandra Ann Diaz, also from Zamboanga City, dominated the Youth women's 45kg snatch and total and was third in the clean and jerk.

Cebuano Althea Bacaro added one more gold medal for Team Philippines after topping the snatch in the Youth women's 40kg category. She got the silver medal in total and the bronze in the clean and jerk.

Zamboangueña Angeline Colonia took the silver (snatch) and the bronze (total) medals in the Junior women's 45kgs. She was fourth in the clean and jerk.

Prince Keil Delos Santos of Angono, Rizal placed fourth in snatch and total and was sixth in the clean and jerk in the Junior men's 55kg category.

"I'm grateful and proud to bring home the silver medal. All I can say is, always train with purpose, listen to the coach and believe in yourself. Consistency and discipline are the keys to success," said Bacaro, a grade 8 student from University of Cebu.

National coach Christopher Bureros praised Bacaro's performance.

"I'm extremely proud of Althea's silver finish. Her discipline, focus and heart brought her to the podium. All I can say is, never underestimate the value of the right technique and mindset," said Bureros, who is with Zamboanga City coaches Antonio Agustin, Gregorio Colonia and Diwa Delos Santos in Peru. 

"We are now witnessing  the future of Philippine weightlifting, competing against the worlds best, including China, yet grabbing 5 golds in the opening day. We would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP, SM Group, ICTSI, and Ayala Land together w/ the Coaches and parents for their support. Getting ready again for Los Angeles Olympics," said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City bets Rosalinda Faustino (Junior women's 49kg), Jhodie Peralta (Youth/Junior women's 55kg) and Albert Ian Delos Santos (Junior men's 67kg) will see action on Friday.

The Youth division is for athletes aged 13 to 17 while the Junior division are for competitors aged 15 to 20. (PNA)