After Palaro return, Hidilyn Diaz wants to integrate weightlifting with education
MANILA, Philippines — Olympic gold-winning weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is pushing to include her sport in more educational programs to strengthen its growth across the country.
The athlete sat down with several media representatives, including Philstar.com, during a home brand event in Pasay last May 14, wherein she recounted her stint as lecturer at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Earlier this week, her students were involved in a culmination where Diaz got to see her students joyously lift their barbells.
"I'm so happy to see how they love the sport," Hidilyn shared. "May nagtanong pa nga sa akin na bakit ngayon lang nila nakilala ang weightlifting."
The weightlifter did give herself a pat on the back for widening the reach of her sport, hoping that more would get involved and know about it.
Hidilyn then pointed out that weightlifting will be a regular sport in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa taking place later this month, having been reintroduced last year for the first time since 1980 as a demonstration sport.
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She credited the Department of Education for the decision to regularize weightlifting but stated the quality of education is up to par across the country's 16 regions.
"So kaya naman, we need to integrate weightlifting with education. Paano ba natin na mas lalong [gawing] friendly yung sports?" Hidilyn posited. "Hindi lang siya pang-elite, it can be also done sa approach for the grassroot level and also for the general public."
As an educator now herself, Hidilyn hopes weightlifting will be implemented in more Physical Education classes, which was of her reasons to teach in the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she is confirmed to teach another three classes.
Hidilyn also expressed hope that weightlifting will become a regular sport in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association, with it already being observed as a demonstration sport with gymnastics golf, and boxing.
While she continues to train as a competitive athlete, Hidilyn said she is now devoting more focus as a mentor and ambassador for weightlifting.
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