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Category: Pinoy Sports Pulse

  • Alex Eala fades late as Oleksandra Oliynykova outlasts Filipina star in Strasbourg thriller 

    Alex Eala fades late as Oleksandra Oliynykova outlasts Filipina star in Strasbourg thriller 

    For nearly three hours, Alex Eala tried to survive a match that constantly demanded one more rally, one more hold, one more comeback.

     

    But in the end, it was Oleksandra Oliynykova who had more left in the tank.

     

    Eala’s final clay-court tune-up before Roland Garros ended in heartbreak Monday after the Filipina bowed to the Ukrainian qualifier, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, in the opening round of the Internationaux de Strasbourg in France.

     

    What initially looked like a controlled performance from Eala slowly evolved into a physical and tactical grind — the exact type of match Oliynykova appeared fully prepared for.

     

    The world No. 68 entered Strasbourg already carrying momentum from Rome, where she reached the third round of the Italian Open after surviving qualifying that included a victory over former world No. 20 Yulia Putintseva.

     

    Against Eala, that confidence translated into relentless pressure from the baseline.

     

    The Ukrainian repeatedly forced the Filipina into uncomfortable rallies using looping topspin shots, slices, and well-timed drop shots that disrupted Eala’s rhythm throughout the match.

     

    Still, Eala looked in command early.

     

    The world No. 38 showcased her composure in a marathon seventh game of the opening set, where she erased five break points and survived seven deuces just to protect serve.

     

    That escape turned into the turning point of the opener.

     

    Moments later, Eala grabbed the first break of the match before sealing the set, 6-3, after 57 grueling minutes.

     

    But while Eala managed to win the crucial points in the first set, the physical toll of the long exchanges slowly became visible as the match dragged deeper.

     

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    Oliynykova stormed to a 4-0 lead in the second set and looked poised to quickly force a decider.

     

    Eala, however, refused to disappear quietly.

     

    The Filipina clawed all the way back to level the set at 5-5, igniting hopes of another signature comeback win after her breakthrough run in Rome last week.

     

    Instead, the momentum vanished just as quickly.

     

    Oliynykova steadied herself, won the final two games of the second set, and carried that confidence straight into the decider.

     

    The third set became a battle of endurance.

     

    Eala briefly regained control after breaking for a 3-2 lead, but Oliynykova immediately answered with a break of her own before completely shutting the door the rest of the way.

     

    From there, the Ukrainian won four straight games to complete the comeback after two hours and 54 minutes.

     

    For Eala, the defeat halts what had otherwise been an encouraging clay campaign leading into the year’s second Grand Slam.

     

    The 20-year-old recently reached the third round of the Italian Open, where she pushed world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a competitive straight-sets loss — another sign of her growing ability to compete with the sport’s elite on clay.

     

    Now, the focus shifts fully to the French Open, where Eala will look to turn the lessons of a demanding European clay swing into a deeper run on tennis’ biggest stage.

     

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  • Carlos Yulo powers OAJLP to gold in French Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championship

    Carlos Yulo powers OAJLP to gold in French Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Championship

    Carlos Yulo continues to chase new challenges far from home — and in France, the Filipino gold medalist olympian once again proved why he remains one of the sport’s most reliable big-stage performers.

     

    Competing for Olympique Antibes-Juan-les-Pins (OAJLP) Gymnastique in Amiens, Yulo helped deliver a championship-clinching performance that ended the reign of defending champions ASVG Vallauris in the French Men’s Artistic Gymnastics team competition.


    But this latest triumph was not built on reputation alone. It came through routines delivered under pressure, where every landing and every fraction of a point mattered.

     

    With the title hanging in the balance, Yulo responded with one of the competition’s defining moments on the parallel bars. He unveiled a high-difficulty routine that earned a score of 14.250, immediately lifting OAJLP’s momentum in the standings.

     

    He followed it with a floor exercise, producing a near-flawless routine that drew comparisons to the form that made him an Olympic gold medalist in Paris. The performance earned a commanding 15.050, one of the top scores of the event and a crucial boost that helped seal the championship for his squad.

     

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    Behind the polished execution, Yulo admitted the journey toward the title was filled with pressure and tense moments.

     

    “So proud of what we all did last night! Everyone gave their all and it really showed on the competition floor. A lot of stressful moments and pressure behind this win, which makes it even more special,” Yulo said in his Instagram post.

     

    “Really grateful for this team and everything we experienced together,” he added.

     

    For Yulo, the victory represented more than another medal overseas. It also served as part of a much larger mission, staying sharp mentally and physically as he begins preparing for the long road toward the 2028 Summer Olympics.

     

    The 26-year-old gymnast is expected to stay busy throughout 2026, using multiple international tournaments not only to compete, but to test new skills before Olympic qualification officially begins next year.

     

    Among the major events on his calendar are the 2026 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in June, the 2026 Asian Games in September, and the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in October.

     

    “Right now, meron akong mga competitions na planong salihan, Asian Games ‘yung pinakamalaki this year, and Asian Championships, and sasali din po ako sa World Championships this year,” he shared.

     

    “Para lang di din po mabakante ‘yung mental health ko pagdating sa competition, kasi kapag masyadong matagal, medyo narerelax din po ako,” the two-time gold medalist olympian added.

     

    Although these upcoming competitions will not yet count toward Olympic qualification, Yulo sees them as critical preparation for the next phase of his career. Every event becomes an opportunity to test upgraded routines, sharpen execution, and maintain the competitive mindset that has carried him to the top of world gymnastics.

     

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  • PSC unveils renovated Teachers Camp Track and Field Oval in Baguio City 

    PSC unveils renovated Teachers Camp Track and Field Oval in Baguio City 

    The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officially inaugurated the newly renovated and refurbished Teachers Camp Track and Field Oval in Baguio City on Saturday, May 16, marking a significant step forward in the country’s ongoing push to upgrade grassroots and elite sports facilities across the nation.

     

    The revitalized athletics venue is expected to serve a dual purpose—providing a safer, more modern training ground for national athletes while also reopening its doors to the local community, encouraging broader public participation in sports and physical activity in the highland city.

     

    PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio led the ceremonial opening and underscored the broader vision behind the rehabilitation project, emphasizing both elite athlete development and community engagement as central pillars of the commission’s infrastructure program.

     

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    “I’m very happy with the oval’s opening. There are two things. First, for the athletes who can run here again – the boxers, Muay Thai athletes, track and field. Second is the community. When President Marcos opened up Rizal and PhilSports, there were about two to three thousand people every night. We will do the same thing here in Baguio,” Gregorio said during the event.

     

    The reopening of the oval is particularly significant for national team members who have long dealt with limited or substandard training environments. Among them is two-time Olympic medalist and boxing standout Nesthy Petecio, who candidly recalled the difficult conditions of the facility prior to its rehabilitation and how it directly impacted athlete safety and preparation.

     

    “There were potholes, and whenever it rained, the flooding was bad, making it slippery and causing athletes to trip and get injured. I tripped here multiple times while sprinting,” Petecio said, reflecting on the challenges athletes previously faced while training at the venue.

     

    National boxing coach Reynaldo Galido also welcomed the improvements, stressing that the upgraded facility will play a key role in enhancing training quality and long-term athlete development. He noted that Baguio’s climate makes it particularly suitable as a high-altitude training hub for combat sports athletes preparing for international competition.

    “The track oval was very old back then. This change is a big help for us. It serves as an inspiration for our athletes to persevere even more in their athletic careers, while also allowing them to show the value of the support that the PSC provides.

     

    “We realized Baguio was the best place to establish a training center because of its climate. Since most of our boxing tournaments are held in Europe where it is cold, Baguio’s cold weather helps us adapt,” Galido explained.

     

    Beyond athletics and combat sports, the PSC is also advancing plans to further develop the surrounding sports complex into a more comprehensive multi-sport hub. Gregorio revealed that the commission is working in collaboration with the local government, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), and FIFA on the construction of a “world-class” football pitch within the same facility.

     

    According to Gregorio, the proposed pitch is expected to cost between ₱25 million and ₱30 million, with the goal of completing the project before the end of the year. Once finished, the facility is expected to significantly boost grassroots football development in the region.

     

    “The target completion is before the end of the year. Once we finish the pitch here, I expect thousands of children to play,” Gregorio stated, highlighting the PSC’s vision of transforming the venue into a community-driven sports destination.

     

    The PSC chairman also reiterated his broader development strategy of establishing regional sports training centers across the Philippines, tailored to specific sports based on geographic and environmental advantages. He pointed to existing initiatives such as rowing development in Cauayan, Isabela, where natural waterways have been utilized for training purposes.

     

    “We are really pushing for the development of regional training centers across the country. Right now, if you go to Cauayan in Isabela, it is now a regional training center for rowing because of the Cagayan Rivers. My point is that provinces should no longer aim to build massive stadiums that end up unfinished. We should focus on a sport-by-sport basis instead.

     

    “Now that I have been here for 10 months, with about a year and a half left, it would be a waste of government funding if we do not fast-track this, every day or month we delay these programs and facilities, our athletes lose both confidence and skill,” he added.

     

    With the reopening of the Teachers Camp Track and Field Oval, the PSC hopes to set a model for sustainable, functional, and community-inclusive sports infrastructure—one that supports both elite athlete performance and the long-term growth of Philippine sports at the grassroots level.

     

     

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  • Alex Eala starts Strasbourg Open campaign against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 

    Alex Eala starts Strasbourg Open campaign against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 

    Sometimes, timing changes everything in tennis.

     

    Just when Alex Eala appeared headed for another grind through qualifying, the Filipina instead found herself handed a direct path into the main draw of the WTA 500 Internationaux de Strasbourg — and perhaps one last opportunity to sharpen her game before the bright lights of French Open.

     

    The break came after Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko withdrew from the tournament, opening a main-draw slot that Eala immediately inherited as the highest-ranked player on the qualifying list. 

     

    Rather than expending extra energy in qualification matches, Eala now enters Strasbourg with additional recovery time and a cleaner runway heading into what could be a pivotal stretch of her season.

     

    Waiting for her in the opening round is Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, a first-time opponent who arrives battle-tested after surviving two qualifying rounds, including an impressive straight-sets win over Yulia Putintseva.

     

    While neither player has yet captured a WTA Tour singles crown, both enter Strasbourg carrying growing momentum in very different ways.

     

    For Eala, the clay swing has slowly become a process of accumulation — match by match, lesson by lesson.

     

    The 20-year-old Filipina has already logged tournaments across Austria, Germany, Madrid, and Rome, with her breakthrough run at the Italian Open standing out as her strongest clay performance so far. There, she reached the third round before eventually falling to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a competitive Round of 32 clash.

     

    More importantly, the Rome campaign continued to reinforce Eala’s growing comfort against elite competition on one of tennis’ most demanding surfaces.

     

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    Now ranked world No. 38 in WTA live rankings, Eala enters Strasbourg carrying the highest ranking of her young professional career and increasing expectations as Southeast Asia’s rising tennis hope.

     

    Still, Strasbourg represents more than just another tournament stop.

     

    It serves as Eala’s final dress rehearsal before her second professional appearance at Roland Garros, where the challenge — and spotlight — will intensify considerably.

     

    The Filipina has already played 12 tournaments this season spanning Auckland, Australia, Manila, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, and the European clay circuit. Along the way, she has steadily expanded both her experience and confidence against higher-ranked opposition.

     

    Her biggest professional singles title remains the WTA 125 championship she captured in Guadalajara in 2025, but her recent results suggest bigger stages may soon follow.

     

    Against Oliynykova, Eala now gets another chance to keep building that momentum — this time with Paris already looming just around the corner. 

     

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  • Former rivals Alex Eala, Victoria Mboko reunite as French Open doubles partners 

    Former rivals Alex Eala, Victoria Mboko reunite as French Open doubles partners 

    For years, Alex Eala and Victoria Mboko have shared the same courts, the same spotlight, and many of the same expectations reserved for tennis’ next generation.

     

    At Roland Garros this year, though, the two rising stars will finally stop trying to beat each other.

     

    Instead, they will try to beat everybody else.

     

    The 20-year-old Filipina and the 19-year-old Canadian are set to team up for the 2026 French Open doubles tournament, marking the first partnership between two young players whose careers have quietly intertwined long before they reached the professional stage.

     

    Their history dates back to the junior circuit, when Eala defeated Mboko in the semifinals of the 2022 US Open girls’ singles tournament, 6-1, 7-6, during the Filipina’s historic march toward becoming the first Filipino Grand Slam junior singles champion.

     

    Years later, Mboko managed to return the favor.

     

    The Canadian outlasted Eala in a three-set comeback during the Round of 16 of the Hong Kong Open last year, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in what became another chapter in their growing rivalry as professionals.

     

    Now, that competitive history shifts into something entirely different.

     

    Instead of standing across the net from each other, Eala and Mboko will enter one of tennis’ biggest stages side by side, hoping their youth, athleticism, and familiarity can challenge the sport’s established doubles powers in Paris.

     

    The challenge, however, will be enormous.

     

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    The French Open doubles field is loaded with elite and experienced tandems, headlined by top seeds Katerina Siniakova of Czechia and American Taylor Townsend — the same duo that recently ended Eala’s doubles campaigns in both Madrid and Rome.

     

    Siniakova and Townsend have become one of the most dominant partnerships on tour, while Eala and Mboko are still navigating the early stages of their professional doubles journeys.

     

    Eala currently sits at No. 88 in the WTA doubles rankings, while Mboko is ranked No. 133.

     

    Still, both players arrive in Paris carrying significant momentum in singles.

     

    Eala has steadily grown more comfortable on clay over the past several weeks, highlighted by a breakthrough third-round finish in the Italian Open — her deepest run yet in a WTA 1000 clay tournament. The Filipina has now competed in four clay events leading into Roland Garros, using each tournament as part of her continuing adjustment to the surface.

     

    Before heading to Paris, Eala will first compete in the qualifying rounds of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, which serves as her final tune-up before the year’s second Grand Slam.

     

    Meanwhile, Mboko’s rapid rise has turned her into one of the most talked-about young players on tour. Once one of the world’s top juniors alongside Eala, the Canadian has since climbed into the top 10 of the WTA rankings, further validating the promise many saw in her years ago.

     

    Their doubles partnership now adds another intriguing layer to two careers that have repeatedly crossed paths.

     

    From junior rivals to professional opponents and now Grand Slam teammates, Eala and Mboko head to Roland Garros carrying both familiarity and unfinished potential — a pairing built not on coincidence, but on years of growing together in the sport’s next generation.

     

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  • Richard Solano breaks Philippine national marathon record at 2026 Tokyo Marathon 

    Richard Solano breaks Philippine national marathon record at 2026 Tokyo Marathon 

    Filipino long-distance runner Richard Solano has emerged as one of the most promising names in Philippine endurance racing, steadily building his reputation through consistent performances in domestic 10,000-meter events and steeplechase competitions before making a breakthrough on the international marathon stage.

     

    That promise reached a defining moment at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, where Solano delivered a career-defining performance that firmly placed him among the country’s elite distance runners. He clocked a personal best time of 2:15:08, a performance that also shattered the long-standing Philippine national record of 2:18:44 set by Eduardo Buenavista in 2004—marking a significant milestone for Philippine athletics on the global road racing scene.

     

    Competing against a deep international field and under punishing conditions, Solano’s achievement was made even more remarkable by the challenges he faced throughout the race. Freezing temperatures in Tokyo tested the endurance of every athlete on the course, while Solano also battled cramps and extreme fatigue in the closing stages of the marathon. Despite those setbacks, he managed to maintain composure and push through the final kilometers to secure both a personal best and a new national benchmark.

     

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    Reflecting on the grueling nature of the race, Solano admitted that the final stretch was as much a mental battle as it was physical.

    “Hanggang sa dumating yung 37 kilometer, tapos sabi ko, 37 kilometer na ito, titiisin ko na ito, andito na ako, paninindigan ko na ito, hanggang sa pagdating ng almost 40 kilometer, doon nagbago lahat. Ininda yung pagod na yung katawan, kumbaga sagad na rin kasi. Bali, personal best kasi ‘yon, nagkaroon na rin ng pulikat,” Solano said to the media after the race.

     

    Beyond the record-breaking performance, Solano emphasized that his progress is rooted in discipline, repetition, and an unwavering commitment to training rather than raw talent alone. For him, success in distance running is earned daily through preparation and consistency.

     

    “Hindi mo naman masabi na ikaw talaga yung malakas kasi wala namang talagang malakas na runner. Nakukuha lahat ‘yan sa ensayo. Kung masipag ka talaga, makukuha at makukuha mo talaga,” he added.

     

    Solano also took time to address aspiring Filipino runners, encouraging them to stay patient in their development and to embrace both the physical and mental demands of the sport. He stressed that endurance racing is not only about conditioning the body but also strengthening the mind, particularly during moments of extreme fatigue and doubt.

     

    “Hindi lang katawan ang tine-train, isip din talaga,” Solano concluded.

     

    With his record-breaking run in Tokyo, Solano has now positioned himself as a key figure in the next generation of Philippine distance running, raising expectations that he could further lower national standards and compete more regularly in elite international marathons in the years ahead.

     

     

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  • Nash Lim caps strong run as top Filipino finisher in the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon 

    Nash Lim caps strong run as top Filipino finisher in the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon 

    While international riders dominated the 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon from start to finish, the biggest breakthrough for Philippine cycling may have come from a 23-year-old rider quietly climbing the general classification in the final days of the race.


    Nash Lim of MPT DriveHub emerged as the highest-finishing Filipino rider in the country’s biggest cycling spectacle, ending the 14-stage race in fourth overall with a total time of 41 hours, 20 minutes, and 23 seconds.

     

    What made Lim’s performance stand out was the way he built momentum late in the Tour. After hovering outside the spotlight and remaining inside the top 20 during the early stages, he steadily transformed into one of the strongest riders in the field when the race shifted toward endurance and precision.

     

    The turning point came during the individual time trials in Pagudpud and Lingayen — stages that rewarded tactical discipline and raw power more than pack racing. Lim placed fourth in the first race-against-the-clock event in Stage 7 before delivering one of the best rides by a Filipino cyclist in the Tour when he finished third in the Lingayen ITT during Stage 13.

     

    That performance catapulted him to fourth overall entering the final stage, a position he successfully defended until the finish in Baguio City.

     

    Lim ultimately ended the Tour just 9 minutes and 13 seconds behind Russian champion Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle, while finishing 1 minute and 21 seconds ahead of fellow Filipino rider Ronnilan Quita of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, who placed fifth overall.

     

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    Although racing for Slovenia-based UCI Continental squad Factor Racing internationally, Lim was recruited by coach Mark Galedo to reinforce MPT DriveHub’s campaign for the summer spectacle. The decision paid off as Lim became the team’s strongest weapon in the general classification battle.

     

    Galedo had earlier instructed his squad to prioritize the overall standings instead of defending the team championship MPT won the previous year — a decision validated by Lim’s late surge.

     

    Before excelling on the road, Lim first built his foundation in mountain biking. His transition into elite road racing accelerated after discovering his potential in individual time trials, eventually becoming a national champion in the discipline.

     

    His showing in this year’s Tour also caught the attention of race officials and sports leaders who viewed his rise as a sign that Filipino riders can eventually challenge stronger foreign squads with the right support system.

     

    “Actually I’ve been asking around who among the local riders really have the potential and his name had come up,” said Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commissioner chair and one of the architects behind the Tour’s revival. 

     

    “That’s why we should think deeper on how we can help our young athletes like him more,” Gregorio added. 

     

    Even as foreign teams controlled much of the race, Gregorio believes the experience remains essential for local cyclists trying to elevate their level in international competition.

     

    The successful staging of the 14-leg Tour also fueled anticipation for the event’s future. During the closing ceremonies at Camp John Hay in Baguio, Arrey Perez, the Tour’s chief executive officer and chief organizer, hinted that the race would return.

     

    Gregorio also revealed that organizers are exploring the possibility of eventually expanding the Tour beyond Luzon.

     

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  • Alex Eala chooses Strasbourg over Parma as French Open buildup enters final stretch 

    Alex Eala chooses Strasbourg over Parma as French Open buildup enters final stretch 

    Alex Eala is trimming the schedule and sharpening the focus.

     

    Instead of squeezing in another stop in Italy, the Filipina tennis star has decided to head straight to France, signaling a more deliberate approach as she enters the final phase of her buildup for the French Open.

     

    Eala was initially included in the main draw of the WTA125 Parma Ladies Open, but the 20-year-old ultimately skipped the tournament after wrapping up a physically demanding stretch at the Italian Open in Rome.

     

    Rather than extending her stay in Italy, Eala has officially shifted her attention toward the WTA500 Strasbourg Open, where she has been added to the qualifying draw ahead of the clay-court Grand Slam in Paris.

     

    The move effectively turns Strasbourg into her final testing ground before Roland Garros begins on May 24.

     

    More importantly, it reflects how Eala’s camp appears to be prioritizing quality preparation and recovery over piling up additional matches during a packed European clay swing.

     

    And there is reason to believe the decision comes at the right time.

     

    Over the past month, Eala quietly pieced together one of the most valuable clay-court stretches of her young career — not necessarily through titles, but through exposure against some of the best players in the world.

     

    Her biggest breakthrough came in Rome, where she reached the third round of the Italian Open for the first time and pushed world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a competitive 6-4, 6-3 defeat.

     

    Despite the loss, Eala showed she could trade power and pace with one of the tour’s elite clay-court players, producing some of her sharpest tennis of the season.

     

    Even in doubles, Eala gained another high-level learning experience.

     

    Teaming up with American Hailey Baptiste as late replacements, Eala faced one of the strongest partnerships in women’s tennis — world No. 1 doubles player Katerina Siniakova and world No. 2 Taylor Townsend.

     

    Though the Filipina-American duo exited early, the match added another layer of experience against elite competition.

     

    “There’s lot of things to work on and learn from this but I think I’m in a good way,” said Eala.

     

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    That may best summarize Eala’s current position heading into the French Open.

     

    She is not entering Paris as a finished product, but as a rapidly improving young player beginning to prove she can compete deeper into major tournaments.

     

    Before Rome, Eala also tested herself across several European clay events, including the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open, Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, and the Mutua Madrid Open.

     

    The consistent exposure appears to be paying off.

     

    Following her Italian Open campaign, Eala is projected to climb back inside the WTA Top 40 at No. 38 in the live rankings — another milestone in what continues to be a breakthrough season for Philippine tennis.

     

    Now, with Strasbourg looming and Roland Garros fast approaching, Eala enters the most important clay stretch of her career carrying something perhaps even more valuable than ranking points.

     

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  • Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo sees future of Philippine weightlifting in record-breaking junior champion Albert Delos Santos 

    Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo sees future of Philippine weightlifting in record-breaking junior champion Albert Delos Santos 

    Long before Albert Ian Delos Santos emerged as a world junior champion, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo already believed he could become one of the faces of Philippine weightlifting’s future.


    Now, after the 19-year-old delivered a gold medal and another world junior record at the IWF Junior World Championships, Diaz-Naranjo’s belief appears to be turning into reality.

     

    The young Filipino lifter stunned the international field after clearing 187kg in the clean and jerk event, breaking his own junior world record and securing the gold medal in a breakthrough moment for Philippine weightlifting.

     

    For Diaz-Naranjo, the victory represented more than another medal for the country. It was a glimpse of what could be the next era of Filipino excellence in the sport she once carried to historic heights at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

     

    The Olympic champion has closely followed Delos Santos’ rise over the past few years. During the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where the Zamboanga City native won silver in the men’s 71kg division and established a junior world record of 186kg, Diaz-Naranjo was already among those proudly supporting him from the sidelines.

     

    At that same tournament, she openly described Delos Santos as the future of Philippine weightlifting.

     

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    Earlier this month, Diaz-Naranjo traveled to Egypt as part of the IWF Athlete Commission, but even while carrying official duties, she made time to personally support the young Filipino standout during the competition.

     

    It became an emotional experience for the 35-year-old Olympian, especially since her husband and longtime coach, Julius Naranjo, also serves as one of Delos Santos’ mentors alongside his mother, Diwa.

     

    “I was there and siyempre sobrang saya ako as a gold medalist. Tapos makita ko na, wow, in person na nakita ko na si Ian nag-break ng record ng world junior,” Diaz-Naranjo said.

     

    Diaz-Naranjo expressed pride in the achievement, noting that winning medals at the youth and junior levels was tough during their time, making it even more meaningful that Delos Santos has now established a record of his own.

     

    “Kasi kahit natapos na, matatapos this year ang pagiging junior niya, pero iniwan niya yung record ng Pilipinas doon. Pangalan niya at sa kasama din ng picture ng tatay niya, nakakaiyak at nakakaproud siya,” Diaz-Naranjo added.

     

    For Delos Santos, the support from the Naranjo couple remains surreal. Like many young Filipino athletes, he grew up inspired by Diaz-Naranjo’s historic Olympic triumph, which forever changed the landscape of Philippine sports.

     

    But while Delos Santos has already conquered the junior stage, Diaz-Naranjo believes the bigger challenge is only beginning.

     

    The Olympic gold medalist said she hopes to eventually see the rising star compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, though she stressed that consistent support will be crucial in helping him qualify.

     

    With records already falling at just 19 years old, Delos Santos is beginning to carry not only medals for the Philippines, but also the expectations of a new Olympic generation.

     

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  • “I want to be the next Hidilyn Diaz”: Elreen Ando sets sights on Olympic gold

    “I want to be the next Hidilyn Diaz”: Elreen Ando sets sights on Olympic gold

    Elreen Ando has firmly established herself as one of the Philippines’ brightest weightlifting talents, continuing the country’s strong tradition in the sport through consistent success on the international stage and a growing reputation as a medal contender in major competitions.

     

    The 27-year-old has already built an impressive résumé, highlighted by two Southeast Asian Games gold medals and three silver medals at the Asian Games. Her rise has kept Philippine weightlifting in the global spotlight following the historic achievements of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who remains a guiding figure and inspiration for the current generation of national lifters.

     

    Diaz-Naranjo made history for the Philippines at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by securing the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, a breakthrough that elevated the sport to unprecedented levels in the country. For Ando, that moment became both motivation and a benchmark as she continues her pursuit of Olympic success, with her long-term goal set firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

     

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    Ando has often spoken about the influence of Diaz-Naranjo on her career and the broader Philippine weightlifting program, crediting her as both a role model and a source of encouragement for younger athletes.

     

    “She is very supportive, and she is happy for us to get a gold medal as a team. She wants more Hidilyn Diazes in Filipino weightlifting. I was inspired by her to become a gold medalist at the Olympics,” Ando said in a media interaction.

     

    Looking ahead, Ando has expressed her ambition to follow in Diaz-Naranjo’s footsteps on the Olympic stage, with a clear focus on delivering a breakthrough performance in Los Angeles.

    “After inspiring the Filipino athletes myself, I will get the gold medal soon. I want to be like Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the next Hidilyn, if I get the gold at LA 2028,” she added.

    Notably, Ando has already proven her versatility by winning gold medals in two different weight categories at the SEA Games, showcasing her adaptability and strength despite the constant physical adjustments required in elite weightlifting. However, she has opted to skip the Asian Weightlifting Championships in order to prioritize recovery and manage her body ahead of a demanding competition schedule.

     

    “It’s a super hard adjustment because the body is not ready, it’s not prepared for my weight,” Ando continued, emphasizing the physical demands of shifting categories and maintaining peak condition.

     

    Her Olympic journey also includes a memorable appearance at the 2024 Paris Games, where she competed in the 59kg category. Interestingly, she secured her qualification at the expense of Diaz-Naranjo, adding a compelling chapter to their intertwined careers. In Paris, Ando finished sixth overall, but produced a standout final attempt that she described as one of the most meaningful moments of her career.

     

    “My favorite memory in Paris was the last attempt because it was so close. I missed the first, second and third attempts, so I had to get the last attempt. I’m happy that I did that. I trained hard, sacrificed time away from my family. I always train hard three times a day. All the things that I have done so far, all the things I have been through, they all came from this sacrifice,” she stated.

     

    Beyond her achievements on the platform, Ando’s journey has been shaped by profound personal loss. A native of Carreta in Cebu City, she lost her mother at a young age and later lost her father in 2022. She has often credited her late father as a major source of motivation in her pursuit of sporting excellence.

     

    “Before I competed in the SEA Games, he told me, ‘Go get the gold medal,’ but I did not do it while he was alive. Unfortunately, he was not able to see me win the gold medals. He had been dreaming of getting the gold. It was very special for me because I got all the gold medals that I had dreamed of giving to my father,” Ando added.

     

    As she continues to evolve as an athlete and prepare for future international competitions, Ando’s focus remains firmly on improvement, recovery, and long-term Olympic success. Her journey reflects not only athletic ambition but also resilience shaped by sacrifice, setbacks, and personal determination.

     

    With the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics still ahead, Ando stands as one of the Philippines’ strongest medal hopes, carrying both the legacy of her predecessors and the expectations of a nation eager for more Olympic success.

     

     

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