Courtesy: IG/ Jhodie Peralta
Junior world champion Jhodie Peralta headlines a six-man Philippine weightlifting team in the 2026 IWF World Youth Championships from July 5 to 11 in Cali, Colombia.
Peralta, who won three golds in the girls’ 55kg division at last year’s Worlds in Lima, Peru, will compete in the 53kg class this year.
Joining Peralta in the women’s team are Alexsandra Ann Diaz (48kg), Althea Bacarro (44kg), Rhianne Cabalida (69kg), and Jea Mae Palagtiw (77kg).
Diaz and Bacarro are also entering the tournament as titleholders. Diaz captured two golds and one bronze in the 45kg division last year, while 14-year-old Bacarro won one gold, one silver, and one bronze in the 40kg class.
Meanwhile, Cabalida and Palagtiw — both champions in the PRISAA Games and the National Open – will be making their World Youth Championships debut.
Completing the Philippine delegation are Jay-R Colonia and Kirby Kent Alas-as, who will compete in the boys’ 56kg and 60kg divisions, respectively.
The team will be accompanied by coaches Tony Agustin, Gregorio Colonia, Christopher Bureros, Allen Diaz, and Dominic Santos.
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