MANILA – Filipino weightlifter Mango Prince David Tarro aims to finally make it to the podium in the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Tarro has been placing in the Top 10 of the men's 65kg weight class in his previous competitions – 9th in the recent IWF World Junior Championships, and 7th in the 2025 Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships.
This time around, the Zamboanga City native is hopeful he can finally lift his way to the podium and a better finish.
"Gusto ko kasi manalo talaga this year kasi gusto ko bumawi. Last year kasi like 7th place lang ako sa category ko; then now gusto ko magka-medal talaga," the 19-year-old told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview last week.
"Medyo kinakabahan ako sa training pero pursigido ako kasi last year ko na din to para sa junior, Asian Youth and Junior [Weightlifting Championships]," he added.
Before the team left for Tashkent on August 3, Tarro has been training under the guidance of coach Diwa Delos Santos and Julius Naranjo.
"That time kasi nung nag-compete ako wala din ako sa condition like kulang sa preparation 'yung katawan ko, 'yung training ko kaya 'di din maganda 'yung result ng competition ko," he said.
"Then this year, like sa tulong nila Coach Julius, Coach Diwa and ate Haidie tinutulungan nila akong mas mag-improve and bigyan talaga yung potential ko like paano ilabas, paano gamitin yung potential ko para sa laro," Tarro added.
The Zamboanga City native said competing at the IWF Worlds in Egypt last May was an eye-opener for him, as he seeks to improve his skills and technique.
"Magandang experience din 'yun kasi Worlds kasi 'yun -- mas madaming kalaban, mas madami akong nakilala mga malalakas din na atleta sa category ko. And isa din 'yun sa nag-motivate sa 'kin na kaya ko pala, kaya ko pala mag-medal that time, which is may kulang pa. So this Asian gusto ko mas galingan pa para mas ipakita na kaya ko nga talaga," he said.
Another aspect Tarro has improved on is his mentality, which believes will help him perform better in this year's Asian Championships.
"So after ng last year competition ko sa Kazakhstan, 'yung in-improve sa akin 'yung technique ko, especially 'yung mentality ko din," he shared.
"Dati kasi like pag may competition di talaga ako 100% focused, like madami akong iniisip. But ngayon gusto ko ibigay 'yung focus ko, 'yung attention ko sa training para sa parating na laro," Tarro explained.
Aside from carrying the flag, the 19-year-old is proud to represent his hometown of Zamboanga City, the same place where Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz started.
"Gusto ko hindi lang basta ah Zamboangueño ako yun na. Gusto ko din like, ipakita na Zamboangueño ako, kaya ko mag-medal tulad ng mga teammate ko din na taga Zamboanga," he said.
Tarro said his ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics just like his idols and fellow Zamboanga City natives Diaz and Nestor Colonia.
"Basic naman 'yun pag sa atleta ang pagiging Olympian. Idol ko kasi si kuya Nestor, Nestor Colonia. Ako, gusto ko din maging isang Olympian at magka-medal sa world stage," he said.
"Si ate Haidie kasi, siya 'yung parang nagiging mentor ko din kasi nagtuturo sa akin. Like, paano i-set 'yung mindset ko din, 'yung technique ko. 'Pag may mali ako, kino-correct niya ako... Natutuwa din ako kasama ko din sa Haidie sa laban ko, like 'di naman totally kasama sa competition pero nandyan siya para i-guide ako sa training ko para sa laro," Tarro added.
Thirteen Filipino weightlifters led by IWF Worlds gold medalists Albert Ian Delos Santos and Alexsandra Ann Diaz will be competing in the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.
The tournament is scheduled from August 7 to 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.