Tarlac State University powerlifters secure five gold medals in the 2025 Asian sub-junior and junior powerlifting championships and Asian University Powerlifting cup (classic and equipped) held at the Dehradun, India last May 5 to 11, 2025.
With over 15 participating countries, the Philippines garnered 27 gold, 32 silver and six bronze medals.
In the 105-kilogram weight class, Ken Andrey Austria from the College of Business and Accountancy won gold in the bench press category where he was able to lift 185kg, beating an Asian University Record. He received silver medals in squat (265kg), dead lift (260kg), and another silver award for the overall weights he lifted (710kg).
He beat his own record in bench press in his first international competition where he lifted 175 kg in Hongkong in 2024. Austria considers this as his graduation gift to himself.
Meanwhile, Vince Gerald Gutierrez, incoming 2nd year law student, the eldest of the Gutierrez powerlifter siblings, bagged 3 gold medals and one silver medal in their first international competition.
Both powerlifters prepared for three months and would sometimes meet during midnights to train together.
Gutierrez who competed under 83 kilograms, recorded a gold medal in bench press (145 kg), gold in dead lift (270 kg) and silver in squat (227.5). He received a gold medal for his overall performance, lifting a total of 642.5 kg.
The two international champions are determined to pursue their passion for powerlifting while pursuing law school.
Austria said he hopes that their sports can be supported by the university since they also give honor and bag awards from prestigious competitions even if it is not included in the intramural sports and State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA).
“Sana mabigyan din kami ng tracksuit or jacket kung saan marerecognize kami na kami ay mga estudyante ng TSU,” Austria told OPA.
He said they have to solicit funds to cover all their expenses during the international competition.
“Sana ang mga schools at government magfocus din sa sports na kahit hindi kilala pero may potential, kasi parang ang focus ngayon ay mainstream – kunwari basketball, kasi paano lalaki yung mga small sports if in the first place hindi nila mabibigyan ito ng suporta”, Austria further said.
Both of these senior members of the TSU Powerlifters lead their growing team of 30 where some of them will compete for the 2026 Powerlifting Nationals in February.
Photo by: Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr.
