Cebu lifters make impact

Jea Mae Palagtiw made an immediate impact on the international stage after capturing two silver medals on her national team debut Saturday in the IWF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.

The 14-year-old standout from the University of Cebu (UC) delivered a strong performance in the women’s 77-kilogram division, taking the silver in the clean and jerk with a lift of 112kgs before adding another silver with a 200kgs total.

Palagtiw narrowly missed out on a third medal after placing fourth in the snatch with an 88-kg lift.

Her podium finish came on the heels of another impressive showing by fellow UC lifter Rhianne Cabalinda.

Competing in the women’s 69kg category, the 15-year-old Cabalinda collected three medals, earning silver in the snatch with 88kg and in the total with 193kg while claiming bronze in the clean and jerk with 105kg.

The Philippines wrapped up its campaign with an impressive 16-medal haul, highlighted by four golds, 10 silvers and two bronzes

Leading the way was Alexsandra Diaz, the niece of Hidilyn Diaz, who swept all three gold medals in the women’s 48kg division.

Alexsandra also etched her name in the record books by lifting 98kg in the clean and jerk and posting a 175kg total, establishing two new youth world records and emerging as the country’s top performer in the tournament.