The Philippines is no longer an afterthought in international weightlifting.

National team coach Allen Diaz said the country’s steady rise on the world stage has earned the respect of traditional powerhouses following another strong showing in the IWF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.

After the national team collected 11 medals in the prestigious meet, Diaz said foreign delegations now recognize the Philippines as a serious contender whenever its lifters take the platform.

“Before, it was as if we didn’t matter. Now that we’re winning, the Philippines is being respected,” said Diaz, cousin of Tokyo Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz.

“Some of the countries would even ask to take pictures with them. We even heard some representatives from Saudi Arabia say, ‘Oh! Two Philippine coaches, very dangerous.’”

The Philippines still has one athlete left to compete with Jea Mae Palagtiw making her national team debut in the women’s 77-kilogram division on Saturday at 8 a.m. (Manila time).

Diaz, meanwhile, is already looking ahead after the remarkable performance of 15-year-old Alexsandra Ann Diaz, who emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest stars by sweeping all three gold medals in the women’s 48kg category.

The young standout also rewrote the record books after lifting 98 kilograms in the clean and jerk and posting a 175kg total, establishing two new youth world records.

Her next assignment will be the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent this August, where she is expected to compete in the heavier 49kg division.

“She has the potential to be an Olympian. My dream is to be a coach of an Olympic and world-record lifter,” Diaz said.

“Her competition is close. We made her go up a kilo so that she won’t be overwhelmed.”