Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, is optimistic about the future of her sport after weightlifting was included in the program of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
Weightlifting was included as a demonstration sport in the 2025 edition of the Palaro, held recently in Ilocos Norte, with Diaz herself serving as the tournament director.
"Success siya, yes," Diaz said at the sidelines of an event for a fast food joint last week. "Pero demo sports kasi ang weightlifting sa Palarong Pambansa. Marami pa tayong dapat gawin, maraming proseso."
Diaz, who won the Philippines' breakthrough Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021, had stressed the importance of the grassroots movement as the key to producing more elite athletes.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz relishes weightlifting’s reintroduction in Palarong Pambansa
"If we truly want weightlifting to grow, we need to go beyond medals and podiums. We need to go to the grassroots—to the places where kids have never touched a barbell, yet carry the same fire and potential I once had," she said in a social media post.
While Diaz acknowledged that her new mission is "challenging," she is also eager to do the work and discover more talents across the country.
"Sana maging regular sport, pero ayun nga, may proseso. Kailangan ng proposal. Hoping na makapasa kami, makapasa ang weightlifting para maging regular sport at ma-meet ang criteria," she said.
Making the Palaro all the more special for their family is that Diaz's nephew, Matthew, won gold in the secondary boys 48kg class.
"I'm happy for him. I'm happy na nakita niya na may potential sa weightlifting. Masaya ako na nanalo siya ng gold kasi lahat ng pinag-praktisan niya, nagbunga," said Diaz.