The Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) is using the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships as a way to gauge who has the best shot at representing the Philippines in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

SWP president Monico Puentevella said this competition is a yardstick to see how well the young lifters will fare against their Asian counterparts.

The Philippines took home five golds, 10 silvers, and 10 bronzes in the competitions’ youth and junior divisions.

“This is actually our tryout for the kids to Los Angeles 2028. As expected, other Asian countries like India, Vietnam, etc are catching up. So we have to do more now,” Puentevella said.

Three out of the 15 Filipino weightlifters took home the gold medals in the competition.

In the youth men’s 49-kg category, Aldrin Colonia took to gold medals in the clean-and-jerk after lifting 114 kgs and a total lift of 213 kgs.

Erron Borres also won a gold in the same category after lifting 97 kgs in the snatch.

Meanwhile, Jhodie Peralta won two gold medals in the youth women’s 55-kg category after lifting 84 kg in the snatch and submitting a total lift of 184 kgs.

Puentevella said they will meet with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie”  Bachmann after the tournament.

“We’ll meet with Chairman Bachmann for our new year plans too,” Puetevella said.