GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Zamboanga City and Rizal Province once again flexed their might in weightlifting after bagging more medals in the sport on Monday morning.

Zamboanga City captured two golds and two silvers, while Rizal took home a gold and a bronze at the Brgy. Labangal Gym.

A member of the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy, Rizal’s Stephanie Mandigma dominated the girls’ 40-kilogram category (13–17 years old) after lifting a total of 113 kilograms—52 kg in the snatch and 61 kg in the clean and jerk.

Zamboanga City’s Darine Krist Gaña finished eight kilos behind with a total of 105 kg (46 kg + 59 kg), while Mandigma’s teammate Mary Joy Beralde tallied 104 kg (46 kg + 58 kg).

“Thankful ako na naging coach ko si Ma’am Hidilyn, dahil kung wala sila, hindi ko makukuha ang gold. Sila ang nag-inspire sa akin,” said the 14-year-old Mandigma.
“Nakita ko sa weightlifting ang pinaka-sport ko na makatutulong sa akin sa mga pangarap ko.”

Meanwhile, cousins Kyle Nathan Cue and Al-Fhadzrhey Sabban of Zamboanga City completed a 1–2 finish in the boys’ 12-year-old category, lifting totals of 150 kg (65 kg + 85 kg) and 140 kg (60 kg + 80 kg), respectively.

Both are grandchildren of former national team weightlifter Reynerio Hipolito, who represented the country at the 1985 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

“[Winning gold] inspires me to be better so I can become the next Olympian of the Philippines,” said Cue.

After nine records were shattered on the first day, another nine fell on the second day of the swimming competition at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex, the main venue of the Philippine Sports Commission-organized event.

Sophia Rose Garra of Malabon City grabbed another gold in the girls’ 200m backstroke, finishing in 2:25.24, almost five seconds faster than her previous best of 2:30.00.

Von Andrei Piñon of Rizal (2:18.20) also reset the boys’ 200m backstroke record, surpassing the old mark set by Arvin Naeem Taguinota II (2:19.88).

Edward Dylan Plaza of Negros Oriental, FJ Catherine Cruz of Mabalacat City, Liv Abigail Florendo of Quezon City, and Aishel Cid Evangelista of Manila also secured additional golds for their respective cities.

The City of Manila emerged as the early leader in the medal tally after amassing 14 medals—six golds, five silvers, and three bronzes—through the first two days of competition.

Defending champion Pasig City followed in second with 12 medals (4–5–3), while Quezon City sits close behind in third with nine (4–2–3).

Host General Santos City placed fourth with eight medals (4–1–3), while Iloilo City rounded out the top five with four golds and a bronze.

Action continues across all venues on Tuesday in the biggest edition of the Batang Pinoy National Championships ever.