Bahrain’s MANAMA — The Philippines won three more medals at the 3rd Asian Youth Games on Tuesday at the Exhibition World Bahrain. Weightlifter Jhodie Peralta won a silver and a bronze, and boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido won a bronze.
Peralta, a 16-year-old student at the weightlifting training center in Zamboanga City run by Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, almost won gold in the girls’ 53-kilogram division. She did very well, but she just missed the top spot in the snatch event, lifting 87 kilograms, only one kilogram less than Pak Hae Yon of North Korea, who won the event.
Peralta looked like she might win another gold medal in the clean and jerk after breaking the meet record with a lift of 100 kilograms. But Vietnam’s Y. Lien and North Korea’s Pak lifted more—106 kg and 107 kg, respectively—placing Peralta in third.
“Sayang, nakuha pa ng North Korean ng one kilo,” said Peralta, referring to how close she was to Pak. “Pero okay lang, tatanggapin ko kung ano’ng ibinigay ng Diyos.”
Lobrido, one of the country’s flag bearers, fought bravely in the boys’ 46kg boxing division, but lost to Abdugani Yorkinjonov of Uzbekistan by unanimous decision, settling for bronze.
Lobrido said, “I hit him, but the judges saw it differently.” “But it’s okay, maybe it’s not the right time yet. Maybe I’ll win gold in the next games.”
The Philippines now has six gold, seven silver, and eight bronze medals. The national team dropped from fifth to ninth place overall, even as the medal total increased.
Ramon “Tats” Suzara, the Philippine chef de mission, remained hopeful about the remaining events.
“We hope to win more gold medals,” Suzara said, noting that the country still has athletes competing in jiu-jitsu, wrestling, swimming, and cycling, while entries in table tennis and badminton have concluded their campaigns.
Peralta and Lobrido’s performances embody the determination and fighting spirit of young Filipino athletes making their mark on the continental stage..
