Weightlifter Jhodie Peralta, who hails from Hidilyn Diaz's training center, snagged a silver and bronze in the Asian Youth Games. Meanwhile, boxer Leo Lobrido settles for bronze.
Weightlifter Jhodie Peralta snared a silver and a bronze, while boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido copped a bronze on Tuesday in the 3rd Asian Youth Games at the Exhibition World Bahrain.
Peralta, a 16-year-old product of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz's weightlifting training center in Zamboanga City, came close to bagging not just one but two gold medals in the girls' 53-kilogram division.
But fate wouldn't have it, as Peralta settled for silver in the snatch, where she lifted 87 kilograms-just one kilogram behind eventual winner Pak Hae Yon of North Korea-and bronze in the clean and jerk, ruled again by the latter.
For a fleeting moment, the triple-gold winner in the World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru, early last May, set a new meet record of 100 kilograms after Pak and eventual silver medalist Y. Lien of Vietnam missed their first two attempts at heavier lifts.
In the end, Lien registered 106 kilograms, while Pak eclipsed it with 107 kilograms. Peralta was unable to carry 106 kg and 107 kg in her final two attempts, giving the bull-strong North Korean the triumph.
"Sayang, nakuha pa ng North Korean ng one kilo," said Peralta, referring to their epic snatch duel where she and Pak battled fiercely.
"Pero okay lang, kung ano'ng binigay ng Diyos, tatanggapin ko," she added.
The medals hiked the Philippines' haul to six golds, seven silvers, and eight bronzes, although the delegation dropped from as high as fifth overall a few days ago to ninth at press time.
There is still hope for more medals, as the country still has athletes competing in jiu-jitsu, wrestling, swimming, and cycling, while its entries in table tennis and badminton have bowed out.
"We're hoping we can win more gold medals," said Philippine chef de mission Ramon "Tats" Suzara.
As for Lobrido, one of the country's flag bearers, he was overwhelmed by the taller and longer Abdugani Yorkinjonov of Uzbekistan, absorbing a unanimous-decision loss in the boys' 46kg class and settling for a bronze-the nation's lone medal in the sport.
Lobrido, however, felt he had a chance in that match and that the judges saw it differently.
"Tinatamaan ko naman siya, pero iba tingin ng judge," said Lobrido. "Pero okay lang, hindi pa siguro tamang panahon. Baka sa mga susunod na laro, makaginto na ako."
