Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz sees great potential in student athletes competing in the Palarong Pambansa 2026 as the weightlifting competition kicked off on Tuesday.
The first Filipino Olympic gold medalist said she has been enjoying her role as tournament director of the weightlifting event for the past two years.
Diaz also expressed happiness that weightlifting has gained greater recognition in this year’s Palaro after becoming a regular sport, with medal winners now included in the official medal tally.
“Marami akong nakitang potential athletes. Sabi nila, 'yung background is wrestling, basketball, galing sila sa athletics, ngayon nag-shift sila sa weightlifting. And I am happy to see they do weightlifting and enjoy weightlifting,” she told ABS-CBN News.
Although Diaz herself did not compete in the Palarong Pambansa and only watched other athletes participate in the national meet before, she said there is a strong possibility that some Palaro athletes could one day become Olympians and achieve success similar to hers.
As the week-long sporting event reached its midway point, Diaz also shared advice for young athletes hoping to achieve their dreams in sports.
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