Matthew Diaz, Hidilyn's nephew, achieves gold in weightlifting at 2025 Palarong Pambansa
It looks like the knack for weightlifting runs in Hidilyn Diaz's family, as her nephew, Matthew Diaz, has achieved the first gold medal in weightlifting at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
As weightlifting returned as a demo sport in the annual multi-sport event, Region IV-A's Matthew dominated the secondary boys’ 48kg category.
His victory comes after he was able to lift 73kg in the Snatch and 93kg in the Clean and Jerk, allowing him to make a solid performance and win gold.
After him, Generosmel Cortez of Region IX achieved silver while Rayney Joy Espina of NCR won bronze.
Matthew is among the 70 athletes who competed in the exhibition sport that Hidilyn is pushing to become a regular category.
To recall, Hidilyn made history as the first Filipino athlete—and a woman at that—to win a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for the women’s 55 kg category.
Despite missing the chance to return to the Olympics in 2024 for the fifth time in a row, she emphasized that it's not the end of the road for her as an athlete.
"I will still lift, continue to lift, and inspire young Filipino Athletes to become Olympic Champions," she said.
"Winning is not everything; it is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes," she continued. "I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up."
Since weightlifting was reintroduced only as a demo sport in this year's Palarong Pambansa, the medals won will not be considered in the regions’ overall medal tally.
The multi-sport event, held in Ilocos Norte, will run until June 2.
