Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic gold journey covered in new short
MANILA, Philippines — Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz's weightlifting academy teamed up with Eleiko and TheRack.Co for a short film chronicling her Olympic journey and her mission to train the next generation of empowered Filipino weightlifters.
"Lifting Makes Me Lift Others" traces Hidliyn's early days in weightlifting to through her historic Olympic triumph in Tokyo, the challenges that followed, and a story she's sharing for the first time — the struggle of missing the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
The short film culminates in her renewed sense of purpose: training the next generation of Filipino lifters and shaping a legacy that extends far beyond her own competition career.
The five-minute short also showcases the picturesque Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy facility in Jala Jala, Rizal, Hidilyn's training with coach and husband Julius Naranjo, and candid moments from her work with young athletes.
The project highlights the shared commitment to performance, community, and the future of the sport.
"I'm a public figure now. It's not about the medal, it's about the responsibility," said Hidilyn.
With her 23 years of weightlifting experience, she aims to equip the young athletes with knowledge, empowerment, and belief in oneself that the sport brings.
"Lifting Makes Me Lift Others" is now available on official social media platforms and select screening events hosted by the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy and TheRack.Co.
The release underscores a growing movement within the Philippine Weightlifting community to provide not only global competition-standard equipment but also uplift the sport and its athletes, and also to provide mentorship and opportunities for aspiring lifters.
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