HIDILYN Diaz’s nephew, Matthew Diaz, won the gold medal in weightlifting at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, proving once again that greatness is indeed, in the genes.
On Monday afternoon, Matthew carried the CALABARZON flag and lifted 37 kilograms at the Snatch, finishing with a 93kg Clean and Jerk. This spectacular performance propelled him to the top of the podium.
This is the first gold medal gained in Palaro’s return to weightlifting, which makes it even more remarkable. Furthermore, Hidilyn was present to watch his supremacy in the Secondary Boys 48kg division.
Meanwhile, Generosmel Cortez of Region IX finished second behind Matthew, with Rayney Joy Espina of NCR taking bronze.
Full-Circle Moment
Matthew, who shares the same DNA as Hidilyn, the first athlete in Philippine history to bring home a gold medal, aspires to achieve the same heights. He hopes to become an Olympian someday.
“Halos po lahat ng ka-pamilya ko nasa weightlifting kaya sinunod ko po ‘yung hilig nila at gusto ko rin po maglaro sa Olympics parang siya (Hidilyn),” Matthew told a media.
“Na-inspire niya po ako, gusto ko na rin po na maging Olympian po. Gusto ko rin po ma-achieve. Pinu-push ko po ‘yug sarili ko para makarating po ako si rank na ‘yun sa Olympics,” he added.
Meanwhile, weightlifting and kickboxing are considered exhibition sports in the Palarong Pambansa. On top of that, dancesport is also one of the events that are designated as a “demo sport” for the event.
The Future of Weighlifting
Despite being regarded as a demo sport exclusively, Hidilyn believes that this is a big step forward for the country, casting light on the prospects for the next generation and not limiting themselves to mainstream sports.
“Lately, I’ve been on the move-carrying not just weights, but a mission. Weightlifting is now a demo sport in the Palarong Pambansa, and this opens up an exciting new chapter for us,” Hidilyn said on her social media post.
“We finally have the chance to bring this sport closer to young Filipinos across the country-to introduce them to weightlifting, to plant a seed of hope and strength,” she added.
Furthermore, the Olympian said that weightlifting is not as straightforward as it appears. It is a sport that demands discipline and the bravery to dream in order to turn them into opportunities.
“I know this is just the beginning. With a clear purpose in our hearts, we’re ready to show the youth that weightlifting isn’t just about strength—It’s about opportunity, discipline, and the courage to dream,” she added.
Matthew’s success is a celebration not only for the Diaz family, but also for the entire weightlifting community, as it demonstrates how the sport’s future must be groomed by the younger generation.
Palarong Pambansa continues to uphold its promise of developing grassroots talent, shaping young athletes to become the future of the country’s sporting scene. It serves as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing potential national sports icons.
