Fernando Agad Jr. clinched a bronze medal in the men’s 55-kilogram category to start the Philippines’ bold campaign in the IWF World Championships on Saturday at the Weightlifting Marquee Venue in Manama, Bahrain.

Agad finished with 116 kgs in the snatch 147 kgs in the clean-and-jerk for a total lift of 263 kgs to earn a spot on the podium.

With this result, the Philippines already did better than last year’s edition of the World Championships in Riyadh after ending up empty-handed.

The Philippines sent a six-man delegation to this tournament that is bannered by two-time Olympian Elreen Ando.

Natthawat Chomchuen of Thailand won the gold medal with a total lift of 273 kgs behind a snatch of 120 kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 153 kgs.

Thiago Felix of Brazil took second with a snatch of 121 kgs and a clean-and-jerk of 148 kgs for a total lift of 269 kgs.

Rosegie Ramos is set to compete next for the Philippines in the women’s 49-kg category.

Ramos is looking to make a splash as part of her buildup for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after missing the Paris Summer Games this year.