By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina teen weightlifter Jeaneth Hipolito spearheaded Philippines’ sensational start during the ongoing International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth World Championships in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 14-year-old prized weightlifter just bagged the bronze medal in the women’s 40-kilogram division after claiming the third spot in the snatch with a total lifted weight of 51 kilograms.
Meanwhile, in the clean and jerk category, Hipolito lifted a total of 114 kilograms and secured the fifth place.
The good news for the PH weightlifting scene came after another Filipina, Joyce Reboton, snatched silver and bronze medals at the 2021 World Classic Powerlifting Championship held in Sweden.
Reboton won the silver medal in the bench press category and the bronze medal in the total weight lifted and made history as the first Filipino to win a medal in the prestigious tournament.
Five more weightlifters from the PH will see action in Saudi Arabia as Adrian Cristobal, Albert Ian Delos Santos, Rosejean Ramos, Christian Rodriguez, and Lovely Inan are off to compete in their respective weight categories.
