The weight of expectations can be overwhelming. But if there’s someone who can carry that burden, it just might be Albert Delos Santos. The 19-year-old weightlifter has burst onto the scene and is quickly emerging as the country’s next big sporting star.
Delos Santos won the clean and jerk and total gold medals in the boys’ -71 kg category at the IWF World Junior Championships on Monday—and in doing so, set a new world junior clean and jerk record with a lift of 186 kg. It is his third world title, following his Youth title at 61 kg in 2023 and the junior championship at 67 kg last year.
With that much success at the junior level, the next big goal seems within reach: Olympic glory.
Albert Delos Santos and the Olympic Dream
For Samahang Weightlifting Ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella, Albert Delos Santos competing at the Olympics is practically a foregone conclusion.
“Albert did it for his dad,” Puentevella told veteran sports scribe Quinito Henson. “I was actually worried Alvin’s death would affect him. His mother Diwa is really taking good care of him. In two years, he’ll be ready for the LA Olympics.”
Clearly, Puentevella has the utmost confidence in the 19-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga—and he’s neither apologetic nor conservative about it.
“He’s from Zamboanga, born to be a lifter, born to be an Olympian,” Puentevella added. “Last year, we were in Norway for the world championships where he broke the junior record on his first appearance in a senior competition.”
Weightlifting Runs in Albert Delos Santos’ Genes
If his recent performances are any indication, Albert Delos Santos might truly be ready for prime time. He also has the genes and pedigree for it.
The double-gold winner in Egypt took up the sport after his late father, Alvin, who won bronze in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at +105 kg. Even at a young age, the elder Delos Santos nurtured his son’s weightlifting aspirations, teaching and guiding him every step of the way.
Soon enough, Albert Delos Santos was blazing his own path, winning silver at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand at 71 kg before his golden conquest in Egypt on Monday.
Of course, all this winning adds to the weight of expectations. Only, Albert Delos Santos looks strong enough to carry the burden.
