Steps are being taken by tournament director Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo to prioritize the grassroots promotion of weightlifting nationwide, as she announced she would skip the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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Instead of lifting barbells on the global stage, the champion is lifting the next generation. Diaz-Naranjo, who serves as a juror for the 66th Palarong Pambansa, stated that her focus shifted toward a nobler cause. She emphasized that a larger-than-life mission to develop the sport is currently underway, especially since weightlifting was finally elevated to a regular medal event at the national games. If institutional support is not sustained by the government, the lack of programs could result to wasted potential among young athletes who struggle to cope up with the rigorous financial demands of elite sports.
"My focus is different right now, e.g., spreading the sport and training the youth," the former Olympic champion explained.
The Department of Education oversees the Palarong Pambansa, where weightlifting debuted as an official medal sport after serving as a demonstration event in the previous year. The department now facilitates ten gold medals in the secondary division, accommodating one hundred sixty athletes from sixteen regions. A new generation of lifters is participating in the events using various equipments.
During the competition, Adrian Bucol, a fellow resident of Zamboanga City, secured the first gold medal. The young athlete lifted a total of 183kg (83kg in snatch, 100kg in clean and jerk) to dominate the secondary boys’ 48kg category. Bucol dedicated his victory to his family and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
Diaz-Naranjo previously established the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy in Jala-Jala, Rizal in 2024 to train new champions. She boasts an illustrious career, having won medals in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the World Championships. Although nothing is formally cast in stone, it was stated that she has nothing left to prove at thirty-five years of age.
While the Philippine Sports Commission maintains the premier grassroots competition, i.e., Batang Pinoy, Diaz-Naranjo advocates for a complete educational pathway. Unless collegiate leagues such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association include weightlifting in their programs, graduating high school athletes would be left without scholarships. She stressed that continuous training must be provided from Monday to Friday so that the youth can complete their degrees while pursuing athletic excellence.
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