MANILA -- Gwen Diaz, a Grade 10 student from Region VII-Central Visayas, secured the gold medal in the secondary girls' high jump event, Friday at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur.
The athlete from Tubigon, Bohol cleared 1.65 meters to soar to the top of the podium.
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After competing in three editions of the Palaro and finishing with a bronze medal last year, Diaz said she trained hard to finally achieve a golden finish.
"Kapoy kaayo sa training. Patay mi sa training. Nag-prepare gyud mi sa Palarong Pambansa," she said.
(Training was very exhausting. We really pushed ourselves hard in training. We truly prepared for the Palarong Pambansa.)
The Bohol Division of the Department of Education congratulates Gwen Diaz for winning gold in high jump in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa. Handout/DepEd Tayo Bohol Division
Diaz shared that basketball was her first sport, and she competed in it up to the provincial meet. However, one of her teachers saw her potential in athletics and encouraged her to take up high jump.
She also recalled suffering from pneumonia at a young age, but said sports helped her become stronger.
"Para makuha nako akong pangandoy nga maabot og layo, makaduwa sa gawas," she said.
(So I can achieve my dream of going far and having the opportunity to compete abroad.)
Diaz said her dedication to sports is driven by her dream of going far in her athletic career and competing internationally.