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Tag: Weightlifting

  • Albert Delos Santos completes golden sweep as Philippine lifters dominate in Tashkent 

    Albert Delos Santos completes golden sweep as Philippine lifters dominate in Tashkent 

    The Philippines is building serious momentum in Asian weightlifting, and 19-year-old Albert Delos Santos is proving to be one of the country’s brightest young stars.

     

    Delos Santos delivered a golden sweep for the Philippines in the men’s 70kg junior category at the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, securing gold in all three events on Tuesday.

     

    The Filipino lifter topped the snatch with 141kg before dominating the clean and jerk at 180kg. His combined effort of 321kg also gave him the gold in the total, completing a three-medal haul in his division.


    But beyond the three gold medals, Delos Santos finally conquered one of the few targets that had escaped him.

     

    The snatch gold was his first at this level, giving an extra layer of significance to an already impressive performance.

     

    Delos Santos entered the competition with plenty of momentum after making headlines at the 2026 IWF World Junior Weightlifting Championships in Ismaila, Egypt, last May. There, he shattered the world junior record in the clean and jerk by lifting 187kg.

     

    His latest performance now adds another milestone to what is quickly becoming a promising international career.

     

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    Delos Santos will not have to wait long for another major test as he is set to compete at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, next month, giving him an opportunity to carry his growing confidence onto an even bigger stage.

     

    He was not the only Filipino lifter to shine in Tashkent as Jhodie Peralta also produced a strong medal haul in the Youth Women’s 53kg division, collecting two gold medals and one silver. She won the snatch with an 86kg lift and followed that with a 102kg silver-medal performance in the clean and jerk. Her 188kg total was enough to put her back on top of the podium.

     

    The Philippines continued to pile up medals across several weight classe with Hidilyn Diaz’s niece, Alexsandra Diaz, swept the women’s 49kg category with three gold medals. She registered 77kg in the snatch, 92kg in the clean and jerk and 169kg in the total.

     

    Jerick Icon Castro matched that three-gold performance in the men’s 60kg class, lifting 116kg in the snatch and 144kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 260kg.

     

    Althea Bacaro added two gold medals in the Youth Women’s 45kg division, topping the clean and jerk with 83kg and finishing with a 146kg total.

     

    Prince Kiel Delos Santos also claimed gold in the men’s 60kg division after recording a 120kg snatch, while Angeline Colonia contributed another gold with her 80kg snatch in the women’s 49kg category.

     

    Together, the young Filipino lifters have turned the Tashkent championships into a showcase of the country’s depth in the sport.

     

    The Philippines leads both the Youth and Junior categories with an impressive 16 gold, six silver and nine bronze medals.

     

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  • Jhodie Peralta powers Philippine medal surge with five-medal haul in Uzbekistan

    Jhodie Peralta powers Philippine medal surge with five-medal haul in Uzbekistan

    Jhodie Peralta proved that consistency can be just as valuable as a single standout lift as the Zamboanga standout delivered five medals across two divisions at the Asian Youth & Junior Weightlifting Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

     

    She strengthened the Philippines’ growing medal haul while showing her ability to compete against lifters in both the youth and junior categories.

     

    Peralta struck gold twice and added a silver in the youth women’s 53kg division. She topped the snatch with 86kg, then lifted 102kg in the clean & jerk to finish second in that event. Her combined 188kg total was enough to give her the youth division gold.

     

    She produced another medal-winning performance in the junior class, again ruling the snatch with 86kg. 

     

    Her 102kg clean & jerk placed her fourth in the event, but the combined 188kg total still earned her the silver.

     

    That left Peralta just 1kg behind Thailand’s Natcha Kaewnoi, who captured the junior total gold.

    The five-medal performance also adds another chapter to Peralta’s steady rise on the international youth circuit. 

     

    She already made headlines at the 2025 Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Astana, where she collected three silver medals in the youth 53kg class and two bronze medals in the junior division.

     

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    Her latest showing comes as Philippine youth weightlifting continues to build a deep pipeline of promising lifters. Earlier in the Tashkent competition, Althea Bacaro also emerged with two gold medals, while other Filipino lifters contributed to the country’s growing haul.

     

    Following the latest results, the Philippines has amassed 13 gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals in the competition. 

     

    Five Filipino lifters combined for eight gold, five silver, and four bronze medals on Saturday, Aug. 8, helping fuel the country’s impressive medal run.

     

    The campaign is not over yet as scheduled to compete are world youth champion Albert Ian Delos Santos in the men’s 70kg, Jea Mae Palagtiw in the women’s 69kg, Rhianne Cabalida in the women’s 77kg, junior lifter Rosalinda Faustino in the women’s 57kg, and Mango Prince David Tarro in the men’s 65kg.

     

    With more Filipino lifters still waiting for their turn on the platform, Peralta’s five-medal haul could prove to be one of the highlights of a much bigger Philippine medal story in Tashkent.

     

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  • Record-breaking weightlifters lead 13-athlete Philippine team bound for Asian Youth and Junior Championships 

    Record-breaking weightlifters lead 13-athlete Philippine team bound for Asian Youth and Junior Championships 

    The Philippines is sending a promising mix of record holders, world championship medalists, and rising young talents as a 13-athlete delegation prepares to compete in the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

     

    Leading the national team are Albert Ian Delos Santos and Alexsandra Ann Diaz, two young lifters who recently made headlines on the international stage with record-breaking performances.

     

    Delos Santos enters the competition with momentum after ruling the 71kg division at the IWF Junior World Championship in Egypt last May, where he also established a new world record in the clean and jerk. For the upcoming Asian meet, he will move down to the juniors 70kg category as he looks to continue building on his breakthrough season.

     

    Diaz, meanwhile, will carry the confidence of a dominant showing at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championship in Cali, Cambodia, where she captured three gold medals and broke two world records in the girls’ 48kg division.

    The niece of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz will compete in both the youth and junior 49kg divisions in Tashkent, a category where she has already gained valuable experience competing domestically. The 15-year-old hopes to bring the same form that powered her golden campaign in Colombia.

     

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    Fourteen-year-old Alexsandra Ann Diaz, the niece of Philippine Olympic champion @diaz_hidilyn, delivered one of the country’s biggest performances on the international youth stage after sweeping three gold medals and setting two youth world records at the 2026 IWF World Youth… pic.twitter.com/vKkrKqwwKr

    — Peanut Gallery Media Network (@PGMNOfficial) July 7, 2026

    Another major contender for the Philippines is Jhodie Peralta, who returns to international competition in the 53kg youth and junior divisions after winning silver at the IWF World Championships.

    The 17-year-old continues to draw inspiration from the guidance of Hidilyn Diaz, keeping her advice in mind whenever she steps onto the platform wearing the Philippine colors.

     

    For national coach Allen Diaz, the focus now is on making sure the athletes are physically and mentally ready for another demanding international challenge.

     

    Diaz has adjusted the training schedule of Alexsandra and Jhodie to match Uzbekistan’s time zone, aiming to help the young lifters transition smoothly once they arrive in Tashkent.

     

    The Philippine delegation also features several medal-winning athletes from previous international competitions, including IWF World Championship silver and bronze medalist Althea Bacaro, who will compete in the women’s 45kg youth division.

     

    Joining Bacaro in the youth category are Rhianne Cabalida in the women’s 69kg division, Jea Mae Palagtiw in the women’s 77kg class, Jay-R Colonia in men’s 55kg, Kirby Kent Alas-as in men’s 60kg, and Jerick Icon Castro in men’s 60kg.

     

    The junior division will feature Angeline Colonia (women’s 49kg), Rosalinda Faustino (women’s 57kg), Prince Keil Delos Santos (men’s 60kg), and Mango Prince David Tarro (men’s 65kg).

     

    The coaching staff composed of Gregorio Colonia, Patrick Cielo Lee, Allen Jayfrus Diaz, Diwa Delos Santos, and Kelle Kay Rojas will oversee the national team’s campaign.

     

    The Philippine delegation heads to Tashkent on Aug. 3 ahead of the tournament scheduled from Aug. 7 to 14.

     

    The team enters the competition with confidence after producing a strong performance at the IWF World Championships in Cali, Colombia earlier this month wherein the Philippines collected 16 medals. 

     

    With a roster built around proven performers and emerging stars, the Philippines hopes to turn its recent international success into another medal-rich campaign on the Asian stage.

     

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  • Alexsandra Ann Diaz opens World Youth Championships with three golds, two youth world records for Philippines 

    Alexsandra Ann Diaz opens World Youth Championships with three golds, two youth world records for Philippines 

    Team Philippines could not have asked for a better opening day at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia, with 15-year-old Alexsandra Ann Diaz delivering a historic performance that announced her arrival among the sport’s brightest young talents.


    Competing in the newly introduced women’s 48-kilogram division, Diaz swept all three gold medals while rewriting the record books, giving the Philippine team an early boost in the prestigious international tournament.

     

    The Zamboanga City standout, who is the niece of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, successfully embraced the challenge of moving up in weight after previously competing in the lighter division. Her dominance was evident from start to finish as she posted lifts of 77 kilograms in the snatch, 98 kilograms in the clean and jerk, and 175 kilograms in total.

     

    Those marks earned her gold medals in all three events while also establishing new world youth records in the clean and jerk and total lift. Diaz surpassed the previous world standards of 97 kilograms in the clean and jerk and 173 kilograms in total for the new 48kg weight class.

     

    She came within touching distance of completing a sweep of all three world records, missing the snatch standard by just one kilogram after finishing with 77 kilograms.

     

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    The performance continues an impressive rise for Diaz, who captured the girls’ 45kg title at the 2025 World Youth Championships in Lima, Peru. In that tournament, she claimed gold in the snatch with 70 kilograms and total lift with 152 kilograms, while settling for bronze in the clean and jerk after lifting 82 kilograms.

     

    Her transition to the heavier class has already paid dividends following her bronze-medal finish in the 48kg division at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.

     

    Romania’s Adelina Lorint finished second in the women’s 48kg competition after recording 74 kilograms in the snatch, 90 kilograms in the clean and jerk, and 164 kilograms in total. Venezuela’s Valeria Osorio del Valle completed the podium with a 162-kilogram total to claim bronze.

     

    The Philippines’ medal haul continued through Jay-R Colonia, who added another gold medal for the country in the men’s 56kg clean and jerk after successfully lifting 140 kilograms.

     

    Colonia also secured two silver medals by registering 109 kilograms in the snatch and a 249-kilogram total, capping another strong international showing after winning bronze at the Bahrain Asian Youth Games.

     

    Althea Bacaro likewise contributed to the Philippine campaign in the women’s 44kg division. She earned a silver medal in the clean and jerk with an 80-kilogram lift and took bronze in the total with 140 kilograms, built on a 60-kilogram snatch effort.

     

    By the end of the opening day, the Philippines had collected four gold medals, along with multiple silver and bronze finishes, placing the national team in an excellent position as the World Youth Championships continue in Colombia. Diaz’s record-breaking performance, however, stood as the defining moment of the day, highlighting the emergence of another promising Filipino weightlifting star on the world stage.

     

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  • Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    Olympic medalist Aira Villegas eyes comeback after health setback ahead of 2026 Asian Games

    Philippine boxing standout Aira Villegas continues to earn widespread respect following her impressive bronze-medal finish in her Olympic debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Her breakthrough performance marked one of the standout achievements for Team Philippines, solidifying her status as one of the country’s rising stars in elite boxing.

     

    However, the Olympic medalist has since been sidelined from competition as she deals with health concerns outside the ring. Villegas has been battling severe allergies that at one point became serious enough to require emergency medical attention, temporarily halting her training and competition schedule.

     

    “Na ER (emergency room) ako, nagsabay-sabay allergies ko,” Villegas said in a media interaction.

     

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    The 30-year-old boxer revealed that she has recently developed a new suspected allergy to mushrooms, although medical professionals are still in the process of confirming the exact cause. The recurring allergic reactions have significantly affected her availability for international competitions, including her absence from recent tournaments in Europe where she was originally scheduled to compete as part of Team Philippines’ overseas campaign.

     

    Despite the setback, Villegas remains focused on recovery and is determined to return to full competitive form ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya in Japan.

    She acknowledged that the situation has forced her to be more cautious moving forward, particularly as she prepares to resume training in Baguio City, a key high-altitude training hub for Philippine boxers.

     

    “I’m trying to fix everything so that I would know what to avoid when I get back to training in Baguio next month. I’m competing in the 51 kilogram from 50 kilogram. But I was told we will be having a training camp before the Asian Games. We still don’t know where, but we will have one for sure,” she added.

     

    Villegas also noted that the transition to a new weight class will be part of her long-term preparation strategy as she continues building strength and adjusting her conditioning program for future international competitions.

     

    Her coaching team and national boxing officials remain optimistic about her recovery timeline, emphasizing that her Olympic experience and proven resilience make her a strong candidate for future podium finishes despite recent health setbacks.

     

    As preparations continue for the Asian Games, Villegas is expected to gradually reintegrate into full training once her medical condition stabilizes, with the goal of regaining peak form in time for one of the biggest sporting events in Asia.

     

    For Team Philippines, her return will be a welcome boost as the boxing program looks to build on its strong Olympic showing and translate that momentum into success on the continental stage in Japan.

     

     

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  • “I want to be the next Hidilyn Diaz”: Elreen Ando sets sights on Olympic gold

    “I want to be the next Hidilyn Diaz”: Elreen Ando sets sights on Olympic gold

    Elreen Ando has firmly established herself as one of the Philippines’ brightest weightlifting talents, continuing the country’s strong tradition in the sport through consistent success on the international stage and a growing reputation as a medal contender in major competitions.

     

    The 27-year-old has already built an impressive résumé, highlighted by two Southeast Asian Games gold medals and three silver medals at the Asian Games. Her rise has kept Philippine weightlifting in the global spotlight following the historic achievements of Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who remains a guiding figure and inspiration for the current generation of national lifters.

     

    Diaz-Naranjo made history for the Philippines at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games by securing the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, a breakthrough that elevated the sport to unprecedented levels in the country. For Ando, that moment became both motivation and a benchmark as she continues her pursuit of Olympic success, with her long-term goal set firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

     

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    Ando has often spoken about the influence of Diaz-Naranjo on her career and the broader Philippine weightlifting program, crediting her as both a role model and a source of encouragement for younger athletes.

     

    “She is very supportive, and she is happy for us to get a gold medal as a team. She wants more Hidilyn Diazes in Filipino weightlifting. I was inspired by her to become a gold medalist at the Olympics,” Ando said in a media interaction.

     

    Looking ahead, Ando has expressed her ambition to follow in Diaz-Naranjo’s footsteps on the Olympic stage, with a clear focus on delivering a breakthrough performance in Los Angeles.

    “After inspiring the Filipino athletes myself, I will get the gold medal soon. I want to be like Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the next Hidilyn, if I get the gold at LA 2028,” she added.

    Notably, Ando has already proven her versatility by winning gold medals in two different weight categories at the SEA Games, showcasing her adaptability and strength despite the constant physical adjustments required in elite weightlifting. However, she has opted to skip the Asian Weightlifting Championships in order to prioritize recovery and manage her body ahead of a demanding competition schedule.

     

    “It’s a super hard adjustment because the body is not ready, it’s not prepared for my weight,” Ando continued, emphasizing the physical demands of shifting categories and maintaining peak condition.

     

    Her Olympic journey also includes a memorable appearance at the 2024 Paris Games, where she competed in the 59kg category. Interestingly, she secured her qualification at the expense of Diaz-Naranjo, adding a compelling chapter to their intertwined careers. In Paris, Ando finished sixth overall, but produced a standout final attempt that she described as one of the most meaningful moments of her career.

     

    “My favorite memory in Paris was the last attempt because it was so close. I missed the first, second and third attempts, so I had to get the last attempt. I’m happy that I did that. I trained hard, sacrificed time away from my family. I always train hard three times a day. All the things that I have done so far, all the things I have been through, they all came from this sacrifice,” she stated.

     

    Beyond her achievements on the platform, Ando’s journey has been shaped by profound personal loss. A native of Carreta in Cebu City, she lost her mother at a young age and later lost her father in 2022. She has often credited her late father as a major source of motivation in her pursuit of sporting excellence.

     

    “Before I competed in the SEA Games, he told me, ‘Go get the gold medal,’ but I did not do it while he was alive. Unfortunately, he was not able to see me win the gold medals. He had been dreaming of getting the gold. It was very special for me because I got all the gold medals that I had dreamed of giving to my father,” Ando added.

     

    As she continues to evolve as an athlete and prepare for future international competitions, Ando’s focus remains firmly on improvement, recovery, and long-term Olympic success. Her journey reflects not only athletic ambition but also resilience shaped by sacrifice, setbacks, and personal determination.

     

    With the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics still ahead, Ando stands as one of the Philippines’ strongest medal hopes, carrying both the legacy of her predecessors and the expectations of a nation eager for more Olympic success.

     

     

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  • “That’s why I’m still lifting”: Weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz on her mission to inspire Filipinos

    “That’s why I’m still lifting”: Weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz on her mission to inspire Filipinos

    Hidilyn Diaz has long stood as a symbol of excellence and perseverance in Philippine sports. The country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, Diaz etched her name in history during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a triumph that elevated her to national hero status and inspired a new generation of Filipino athletes to pursue greatness on the global stage.

     

    Years after her historic achievement, Diaz continues to expand her impact beyond the competition platform. The 35-year-old has recently ventured into academia, officially joining the University of the Philippines Diliman as a faculty member under the College of Human Kinetics. In this new role, she brings her wealth of experience as a world-class athlete into the classroom, helping shape future coaches, trainers, and sports professionals.

     

    While Diaz fell short of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the setback has not diminished her passion for the sport. Instead, it has reinforced her commitment to inspire others—particularly women—to take up weightlifting and pursue their athletic dreams.

     

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    “That’s why I am still lifting, because I still want to inspire the Filipino athletes and Filipino female weightlifters. I am using my status as an Olympic champion to spread the sport in the Philippines. There’s a lot of women competing already. There are more women weightlifters competing in the SEA Games than men,” Diaz said in a media interaction.

    Beyond her personal achievements, Diaz has also taken an active role in grassroots development. Alongside her husband and coach, Julius Naranjo, she established the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy in Jalajala, Rizal. The academy serves as a training hub for aspiring lifters, promoting discipline, proper technique, and a deeper understanding of the sport.

     

    “I want to learn how to spread sports. You want a lot of people to understand how to execute weightlifting and the rules. I hope it’s more strength and conditioning; it’s not only teaching them, it’s also for me to learn how to multiply the sports in university,” she added.

     

    Despite her iconic status, Diaz’s competitive drive remains as strong as ever. She has set her sights on returning to the international stage, with the 2027 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics firmly on her radar. Competing in the 61kg category, Diaz acknowledges that the journey ahead will require not just physical strength but also smarter preparation and recovery as she continues to compete at an elite level.

     

    “I will be in 61kg. I’m not sure it will keep changing depending on the competition I will be computing, but this is the challenge that I commit to. With age, it’s more on recovery. That’s the hard part. It is more about being smart, surrounded with people that will help you achieve your dream – and I have that.

     

    “I feel like I’m a newbie athlete starting again. I’m so afraid of what people will say. I want to say to all the people, to myself, that I’m a human too. I cannot be forever here at the top. Sometimes I have to go down to go up again,” Diaz concluded.

     

    As she balances her roles as an athlete, mentor, and educator, Diaz continues to redefine what it means to be a champion. Her journey is no longer just about medals, but about legacy—empowering others, growing the sport, and proving that true greatness lies not only in reaching the top, but in lifting others along the way.

     

     

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  • Noel Ferrer raises questions over Phoenix Petroleum’s ‘free fuel for life’ pledge to Hidilyn Diaz

    Noel Ferrer raises questions over Phoenix Petroleum’s ‘free fuel for life’ pledge to Hidilyn Diaz

    Fuel company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines has found itself at the center of a public controversy after it was alleged that the company failed to fully deliver on its widely publicized promise of providing Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz with “free fuel for life” following her historic gold medal triumph at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

     

    Diaz made history in 2021 when she captured the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event, ending the country’s nearly century-long wait for a gold in the Games. Her achievement sparked a wave of national celebration and prompted a series of rewards and incentives from both the government and private companies eager to recognize her remarkable accomplishment.

     

    Among those that pledged support was Phoenix Petroleum, which publicly announced that it would provide the weightlifting icon with a lifetime supply of fuel. However, the issue resurfaced recently after Diaz’s longtime manager, Noel Ferrer, took to social media to clarify that the commitment did not materialize as initially presented.

     

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    “Medyo naiiling na lang ako. Si Haidie ay tumahimik na lang at idinadaan na lang sa punchline. Pero drawing naman talaga ang lifetime na fuel suppy,” Ferrer said.

     

    “Pero waley ang lifetime supply na fuel na nai-commit. Ang tanong tuloy ng iba, kaninong lifetime ba ang tinutukoy nila? Idinadaan na lang sa comedy ang lahat, pero OK na OK talaga kung seseryosohin ang pagbibitaw at pagtupad sa salita,” he added.

     

    According to Ferrer, Diaz only received the free fuel benefit for approximately two years following her Olympic victory. After that period, the arrangement reportedly stopped, prompting questions about the original promise that had been publicly announced at the time.

    The matter gained renewed attention amid the recent surge in global fuel prices, which have been influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and other economic pressures affecting the global energy market. Ferrer noted that while Diaz has largely chosen to remain quiet on the matter, the situation reflects broader concerns about how athletes are treated once the spotlight on their achievements fades.

     

    “It was their announcement, their commitment – not hearsay. In the press release, there were no conditions whatsoever; it was presented purely as an incentive. Thanks, but to be accurate, it wasn’t for a lifetime. I’m not sure whose lifetime the people had in mind,” Ferrer wrote.

     

    “Sadly, this is also symptomatic of how we regard athletes who are no longer in the limelight – even when they continue to contribute to sports and to the country. May these tough times bring out the best in us – and the honesty to match public pronouncements,” he continued.

     

    In response to the allegations, Phoenix Petroleum issued a statement defending its position and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the arrangement. The company emphasized that it had indeed supported Diaz even before her historic Olympic triumph and maintained that it had fulfilled the commitments agreed upon at the time.

     

    “We fulfilled our commitments. As with many corporate donations, such arrangements are guided by conditions, including brand alignment. As circumstances changed and Hidilyn engaged with another fuel brand, the fuel donation arrangement could no longer continue under the same terms,” the company said.

     

    Phoenix Petroleum also expressed disappointment over how the issue was raised publicly, saying that the matter could have been clarified privately before being brought to social media. The Davao-based fuel company further criticized what it described as misleading narratives circulating online and stressed that its support for Filipino athletes remains part of its broader corporate advocacy.

     

    The situation has sparked discussions among sports fans and observers about corporate incentives for athletes and the importance of clear agreements when such rewards are announced publicly. Diaz, widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ greatest athletes, continues to be an influential figure in Philippine sports following her historic Olympic victory.

     

     

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  • “I want to educate more people”: Hidilyn Diaz starts teaching at UP Diliman

    “I want to educate more people”: Hidilyn Diaz starts teaching at UP Diliman

    Philippines weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz, who etched her name in history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, is now venturing into a new arena—academia.

     

    The 34-year-old champion, who dominated the 55-kg division with her record-breaking snatch and clean-and-jerk performances in Tokyo, has long been celebrated as a national hero and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the Philippines. Beyond her historic triumph, Diaz has made it her mission to grow the sport of weightlifting throughout Southeast Asia. Together with her husband and coach, Julius Naranjo, she established the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy in Jalajala, Rizal, providing a training ground for young lifters and fostering a culture of discipline, fitness, and excellence among the next generation.

     

    Now, Diaz is bringing that same dedication and leadership into the classroom, having officially joined the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) as a faculty member. She will serve in the UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK), combining her experience as a world-class athlete with a formal role in education.

     

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    In preparation for her teaching duties, Diaz attended the Teaching Effectiveness Course (TEC) at the UP Diliman School of Economics from January 12 to 15. She described the training as both eye-opening and invaluable in shaping her approach to teaching.

    “Good thing na naka-attend ako nitong TEC. Nagkaroon ako ng idea kung paano iyong magiging approach ko sa pag-handle ng class. I am also thankful for my CHK colleagues’ support—they were there to cheer and help me,” Diaz said, reflecting on her first steps into academia.

     

    The Olympic champion admitted to feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as she transitions from the weightlifting platform to the classroom. “It’s a big change, but I am ready to share my knowledge and inspire students in a different way,” she added.

     

    Through her teaching role, Diaz hopes to extend her influence beyond competitive weightlifting. By educating young students about the sport, she aims to inspire more Filipinos to embrace weightlifting, emphasizing both athletic development and the values of discipline, resilience, and hard work. Her academy in Rizal continues to serve as a hub for nurturing future champions, ensuring that her impact on Philippine weightlifting remains lasting and profound.

     

    “I want to educate more people para mas maraming makaintindi ng weightlifting, kasi ang weightlifting ay regular event na sa Palarong Pambansa,” Diaz said, highlighting her vision to integrate weightlifting more deeply into the nation’s sporting culture.

     

    UPD management confirmed that Diaz will teach two sections of PE 2 in weightlifting during the second semester of the 2025-26 academic year. Her classes will allow students to learn directly from one of the world’s best, providing a rare opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical expertise drawn from the international stage.

     

    With this move, Hidilyn Diaz is not only shaping champions on the competition platform but also molding the minds and skills of the next generation of Filipino athletes. Her journey from Olympic glory to academic mentorship underscores her commitment to elevating Philippine weightlifting and inspiring a broader culture of excellence in sports and education.

     

     

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