LAOAG CITY – Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo welcomed the inclusion of weightlifting as a demonstration sport in the 65th Palarong Pambansa, calling it a significant step toward strengthening grassroots development for the sport in the Philippines.

During a dry run at Laoag Central Elementary School, Diaz-Naranjo expressed hope that weightlifting will become a regular sport in next year’s edition of the national youth games.

She thanked the Department of Education (DepEd) for this development.

“I should be thankful that weightlifting is now a demo sport. Hopefully next year, it will become a regular sport, with 10 to 15 regions and 150 athletes competing. That's the goal. And more technical officials and more knowledge and education for coaches," Diaz-Naranjo, who will serve as tournament director, said.

Weightlifting will make its Palaro debut with 70 participants from nine regions competing across 10 divisions -- five each for boys and girls.

The sport has seen a surge of interest following Diaz-Naranjo’s historic gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020+1 Olympics, which sparked calls to include weightlifting in the country's youth sports programs to develop future champions.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) president Monico Puentevella said the inclusion of the sport in Palarong Pambansa is "the first step of a thousand miles."

"For many years, I was promised the sun and the moon by DepEd. Finally, I’m grateful to my compadre and sportsman, Sec. Sonny Angara, for making this essential step for our Olympic champ Hidilyn Diaz, for helping SWP in this long-awaited quest,” Puentevella said.

“We shall soon have more champions together with Batang Pinoy in the future,” he added, referring to the other national competition for athletes aged 17 and below and including out-of-school youth. (PNA)