With many still wary about the risks of subjecting children to weightlifting, Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is there to douse any doubts.
Weightlifting in the grassroots recently hit a stride locally with its inclusion in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte earlier this month, where it returned after a decades-long absence as a demonstration sport in the annual event.
But even as upwards of 70 weightlifters were able to compete at the Palaro, there were still a lot of naysayers and doubters, especially on the safety and suitability of a sport like weightlifting for younger athletes.
Understanding that there is a lack of education still among parents and even within the community, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) will be leaning on the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to bridge the gap among coaches in order to create the best environment for young weightlifters.
[RELATED: Hidilyn Diaz’s nephew Matthew wins Palarong Pambansa gold in weightlifting]
“Actually 'yung risk, lahat naman sa sports may risk. Pero ang kuwan lang talaga is dapat 'yung sa trainers and coaches dapat well-versed talaga sila para at least, mabantayan nila 'yung mga bata,” said SWP coach Patrick Lee at the sidelines of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
“Then, parang meron din gagawin si Hidi na course, coaching course. Then sa technical din, technical officiating, meron din gagawin si Hidi. 'Di ko alam kung within this year. So, susulat sa DepEd, papadala yung DepEd ng mga teachers who will act as coaches or trainers,”
Diaz was tournament director at the Palaro.
Her nephew Matthew even clinched gold in the 48kg boys division.
With the sport only being introduced again recently, there is still a lack of parity among coaches and trainers across the various regions.
But with the help of the SWP, Lee believes that they will be equipped enough to spread their manpower to ensure that by the next Palarong Pambansa, where they hope weightlifting will be a regular sport, all coaches and trainers will be knowledgeable enough.
“Kailangan talaga, well versed talaga yung magtuturo. 'Yun 'yung iiwanan namin sa DepEd so nandiyan din naman kami. Susupportahan parin naman namin si Hidi kung may mga gagawin siyang ganyan. Nandun din naman kami,” said Lee.
“Kumbaga, kami rin, and since yung mga coaches namin naka-regionalize na, kung saan man gagawin yung coaching course na yan, meron kaming coaches na magtuturo dun,” he added.
Weightlifting’s inclusion in Palarong Pambansa coincided with tremendous success for younger weightlifters in the Philippines. The SWP had recently gone to Lima, Peru for the International Weightlifting Federation Youth and Junior World Championships where Filipinos won a total of five gold medals.