Albert Ian Delos Santos turned his Asian Games debut into a record-breaking, emotional tribute to his late father. The 20-year-old Filipino weightlifter claimed bronze in the men’s 70kg event on Saturday at Fukiage Hall in Nagoya, Japan.

Delos Santos lifted 141kg in the snatch and 183kg in the clean and jerk for a 324kg total. The clean and jerk mark broke his own previous junior world and Asian record, cementing his status as one of the region’s brightest young talents.

A Record-Breaking Debut on the Continental Stage

Delos Santos, who hails from Zamboanga City, described the win as unexpected despite the immense pressure he places on himself before every competition. He said he constantly reminds himself to have fun, even when his instincts push him the opposite way.

“I’m thankful, my God. Unexpected, but yun, palagi ko naman sinasabi, have fun. Like sila at Heidi, sinasabi, have fun, no pressure. But, opposite ako,” Delos Santos said.

He added that self-imposed pressure has become part of his mental preparation ahead of major lifts. “And I give myself sobrang pressure. Like, whenever mag-isa lang ako, sige ko, wag mo sa sayang, yung first time mo to. Kung hindi, hindi ka makamedal, another four years,” he said.

North Korea’s Ri Won Ju won gold with a 349kg total, highlighted by a 198kg clean and jerk that set new world, Asian Games, and Asian records. Japan’s Masanori Miyamoto took silver with 342kg despite leading after the snatch portion.

A Bright Light and a Father’s Presence

Delos Santos revealed that he felt a deeply personal connection during his warmup, noticing unusual lighting on his platform that reminded him of his late father, Alvin. He said the moment carried special meaning given a similar experience he had competing abroad.

“Coincidentally, yung lights, yung ganyan, it’s not that bright sa iba. But yung platform ko mismo was the bright. Sabi ko, I’m gonna be sentimental. That’s papa,” Delos Santos said.

He recalled a similar experience during a competition in Egypt, where sunlight barely reached the venue except through a few windows. The parallel moment made him feel as though his father was watching over him again in Nagoya.

“Nangyari din to sa akin sa Egypt. Parang warehouse siya. And so, yung sun, barely siya nagapasok sa loob. Pero may mga windows. Yung light beam, sa platform ko lang, ina-observe ko. Sabi ko, okay, thank you pa. Okay, nandito ka,” he said.

Following his historic bronze-medal finish, Delos Santos said he plans to celebrate simply. He intends to explore Japan, enjoy local food, and spend time with his mother and teammates before returning home.