Eight athletes will represent the country at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Junior Championships on September 19-27 in Leon, Spain.

Angeline Colonia, Rose Jean Ramos, Jhodie Peralta, Rosalinda Faustino and Albert Ian De los Santos from Zamboanga City; Lovely Inan and Prince Keil Delos Santos from Angono, Rizal; and Eron Borres from Cebu are scheduled to leave for Spain on Sept. 15. Their visas are still being processed.

They will be accompanied by coaches Gregorio Colonia, Allen Jayfrus Diaz and Diwa Delos Santos from Zamboanga City, and Samuel Alegada from Bohol.

“They are doing well in training,” coach Allen Diaz said in an interview on Thursday.

“The World Championships is a very tough competition so our athletes have to be ready, we’re hoping for the best,” he said.

At the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Championships in India, Colonia bagged three golds, one silver and one bronze in the Youth and Junior divisions in the women’s 49kg category.

The other medalists were Peralta (3 golds, Youth women’s 49kg); Ramos (1 gold and 2 silvers, Junior women’s 45kg); Albert Ian delos Santos (2 golds and 2 silvers, Youth/Junior men’s 61kg); Rosalinda Faustino (2 silvers and 1 bronze, Youth women’s 55kg); Prince Keil delos Santos (2 golds and 1 silver, Youth men’s 49kg); and Borres (1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, Youth men’s 49kg).

The Philippines also won medals in the 2022 edition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan coming from Ramos (4 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze); Faustino (3 golds); Colonia (2 golds, 1 silver); and Prince Keil Delos Santos (2 bronzes). (PNA)