Delos Santos eyeing ultimate prize

Albert Ian delos Santos knows exactly what awaits him in his first Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

But the 20-year-old weightlifter is not heading to the continent’s biggest sporting stage merely to soak in the experience.

He is going there for the gold medal.

Delos Santos will spearhead the Philippines’ campaign in the men’s 70-kilogram division when weightlifting action gets underway at the 20th Asian Games, joining a five-man national squad that also includes Asian Games bronze medalist Elreen Ando, Rosegie Ramos, Kristel Macrohon and Eleaphraime Wacoy Limmong.

Asked what he could promise in his Asian Games debut, the reigning world youth champion did not hesitate.

“A real medal,” Delos Santos said.

“Hopefully gold. It’s a delusional dream, but it’s possible. It’s possible.”

That belief will carry Delos Santos into one of the toughest competitions of his young career, where he expects some of Asia’s strongest lifters to stand between him and the top of the podium.

“North Korea and Uzbekistan, I think. North Korea is the heavy hitter. And the Japanese as well,” Delos Santos said.

Instead of being intimidated, however, Delos Santos is already studying the competition and using every available resource to prepare for his first crack at an Asian Games medal.

“Especially for the seniors, because their competitions are mainly broadcast. There are weightlifting communities that really show everything, so it’s an advantage for me,” Delos Santos said.

“I can see their records and, especially, I follow them all on Instagram, so I’m already scouting.”

Delos Santos heads to Nagoya brimming with confidence after a spectacular campaign in the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent two weeks ago, where he captured three gold medals and further established himself as one of the country’s brightest prospects.

Still, the young lifter knows that talent and momentum alone will not guarantee success against the continent’s elite.

For him, the biggest battle before stepping onto the platform at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center from 23 to 29 September could be staying healthy and maintaining consistency.

“There’s more. Consistency, and keeping myself from getting injured. That’s really very important,” Delos Santos said.

“I don’t know how I get myself into situations where I get sick, like in Egypt and now. Hopefully, I’m consistent with my body and stay free from any injury.”