Fueled by Hidilyn Diaz' success, this athlete from Rizal chases her own weightlifting dream
LAOAG CITY—Hidilyn Diaz uplifted an entire nation when she brought home the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal after a lengthy 97-year wait.
But far from the spotlight, somewhere in Jalajala, Rizal, one young aspirant was inspired by that historic success and is now trying to tread her own path in weightlifting.
Stephanie Mandigma, a Grade 8 student at Jalajala National High School, was previously pursuing gymnastics after being invited by one of her classmates. She enjoyed her time there, but an injury forced her to leave the gymnastics mat.
Eventually, she found a new love in weightlifting.
What sparked it? Diaz' historic gold medal run at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
"Na-appreciate ko po ang weightlifting nu'ng nanalo po si Ma'am Hidilyn sa Tokyo po. Naisip ko po na ang saya siguro magbuhat din," Mandigma told GMA News Online in an exclusive interview on Sunday at the Laoag Central Elementary School.
"Naisip ko po na what if maging katulad po ako ni Ma'am Hidilyn kaya na-appreciate ko po magbuhat."
More than a year into weightlifting, Mandigma has now made a huge improvement in the sport as she is now part of the 70 athletes set to see action in the weightlifting demonstration of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.
Mandigma had also participated in the 2024 Batang Pinoy where she hoisted 37kg in snatch and 50kg in clean and jerk on the way to bagging the bronze medal for her first major victory.
With still a long way to go, Mandigma hopes she can also be like her idol Hidilyn, representing the Philippines in the biggest weightlifting stages.
"[Ang pangarap ko po ay] maging katulad po ni ma'am Hidilyn at maging gold medalist po," she said.
"Ang pinakamagandang mangyayari po ay mare-represent ko po 'yung Jalajala at 'yung school po namin tapos 'yung Philippines po, 'yun po ang goal ko."
For now, though, Mandigma is savoring the privilege of being coached by Diaz at the latter's Weightlifting Academy in Jalajala.
"Ang natutunan ko po sa kanya ay magtiwala lang po sa sarili and 'wag ilagay 'yung negative sa pagiisip and lahat po dapat pinaghihirapan," Mandigma shared.
"Lagi niyang sinasabi sa amin na kung kaya namin, ibigay lang po namin 'yung makakaya namin."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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