Delos Santos vows to improve snatch

Albert Ian delos Santos is looking to improve his snatch after earning a bronze medal in the men’s 70-kilogram event of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The 20-year-old Zamboanga City lifter said that going up against older and stronger opponents showed him the need to keep pace in the snatch and give himself a stronger foundation heading into the clean and jerk.

Delos Santos recalled having to chase Adkhamjon Ergashev of Uzbekistan, who lifted 142 kilograms in the snatch.

“He did 142, I did 141. It would’ve been nice if I did 143. But at least, I’m close. So, we can play in the clean and jerk,” Delos Santos said.

“Lots of stress, adrenaline. Basically, it felt like my hands were oily and everything was slipping. The bronze was slipping out of me.”

Delos Santos eventually lifted 183 kilograms in the clean and jerk for a 324-kilogram total, enough to secure a podium finish in his Asiad debut.

He now shifts his focus to the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, from 27 October to 9 November, where he hopes to make a strong start to the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Under the guidance of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo, Delos Santos is confident he can build on his Asiad performance and put himself in contention for a spot in the Summer Games.

“It’s inspiring. Looking up to her when I was a kid, seeing her compete, especially the moment she won gold,” Delos Santos said.

“Anything’s possible. That’s what I’m saying. It’s all possible.”