Hidilyn Diaz saw her long-held dream realized as weightlifting became a regular sport in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, held in Agusan del Sur. The Olympic champion served as tournament director while two athletes from her circle claimed the first gold and silver medals.
Diaz expressed joy at the development, noting it fulfilled a goal she had shared on social media for years. She had first pushed for the sport’s return as a demonstration event in the 2025 edition in Ilocos Norte.
The competition opened with an upgraded setup that included a large LED scoreboard. Zamboanga Peninsula’s Adrian Bucol won the initial gold medal on May 26 in the secondary boys’ 48kg division, lifting a total of 183kg. Calabarzon’s John Certh Cadag took silver.
Bucol comes from the same barangay in Zamboanga City as Diaz, while Cadag trains at her academy. Diaz said the expanded participation, now covering 16 regions and 160 athletes, makes the sport more accessible and prepares young lifters for international standards.
