Alexsandra Ann Diaz sweeps three golds in 48-kg class in World Youth Weightlifting Championships

THERE is something in Tokyo Olympics gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz’s blood that ticks.

It was on display after her niece, Alexsandra Ann Diaz, showed the same magnificence in the World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia where she swept all three golds including two in record-setting feats in the women’s 48-kilogram (kg) class on Monday.

The 15-year-old 2025 Bahrain Asian Youth Games bronze winner from Zamboanga City was in total control with triumphant lifts in snatch, clean and jerk, and total where she had 77 kg, 98 kg and 175 kg, respectively.

She set new world records in clean and jerk and total lift after eclipsing the standard in the 48-kg division — a new weight class — of 97 kg and 173 kg.

Ms. Diaz missed a record-breaking treble after falling by a kilo from shattering the world standard in snatch.

Making it a four-gold haul for the Filipinas on opening day was Jay-R Colonia’s golden exploit in the men’s 56-kg clean and jerk where he had a 140 kg.

Mr. Colonia, who also snared a bronze in Bahrain like Ms. Diaz, added two silvers in the snatch and total lift where he had lifts of 109 kg and 249 kg, respectively.

Althea Bacaro was the other Filipina who plunged into action on Monday and chipped in a silver in clean and jerk with an 80 kg and a bronze in total with a 140 kg in the women’s 44-kg section.

“This is where it all starts,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella, who thanked the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, the Philippine Sports Commission, ICTSI, Sy Group of Companies and Ayala Land.

And expect the gold rush to continue as Asian Youth Games silver and bronze medalist Jhodie Peralta (53 kg), Rhianne Cabalida (69 kg) and Jea Mae Palagtiw (77 kg) in the women’s side and Kirby Kent Alas-as (60 kg) in the men’s section are ready to see action.

“This is in preparation for the Asian Games and, ultimately, the Olympics, that is why we compete against the best in the world,” he said. — Joey Villar