By Jean Malanum

FROM GRIEF TO GLORY. Filipino Albert delos Santos (center) holding his medal and the picture of his late father, Alvin, during the awarding ceremony at the IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt on Tuesday (May 5, 2026-Philippine time). He won the 71kg title and improved his own world record in clean and jerk. (IWF photo)

MANILA – Filipino Albert delos Santos secured the men’s 71kg gold medal Tuesday morning (Philippine time) at the IWF World Junior Championships in Ismailia, Egypt.

The 19-year-old delos Santos lifted 175kg in the clean and jerk to secure the title, then jumped 12kg to better his own junior world record to finish 17kg clear on 139-187-326.

At the end of the 71kg session, delos Santos ran off the platform to hug his mother, Diwa, who produced a photo of her late husband, Alvin, a former national player who died of liver cancer two months ago.

Delos Santos kissed the photo, saying, “I did it for him! I did it for him!”

“Last-minute clutch because a week before we left, I injured my lower back, so I had to stay focused in recovery and not lose hope,” he said in an online interview.

“The world record is for my papa,” added the second-year financial management student from Universidad de Zamboanga.

Yash Khandagale of India pocketed the silver in snatch (140), bronze in clean and jerk (169), and silver on total (309).

Jimmy Lopez of Ecuador ranked third on total despite being eighth in snatch and fourth in clean and jerk. He made 134-167-301.

The 5-foot-8 Delos Santos was the Youth champion in 2023 at 61kg and a Junior winner last year at 67kg.

Delos Santos is setting his sights on the Asian Games and the senior World Championships in Japan and China. He is training under Julius Naranjo, husband of the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. (PNA)