26-05-2025
Matthew Diaz, Hidilyn's nephew, wins gold as weightlifting demo event kicks off in Palarong Pambansa
LAOAG - Matthew Diaz proved weightlifting is in his blood as he claimed the first gold in the demonstration event at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa on Monday at the Laoag Central Elementary School in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
Diaz, nephew of the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn, ruled the secondary boys' 48kg division after lifting 73kg in snatch and 93 kg in clean and jerk to cap off his solid showing.
Diaz, who represents Region IV-A, is among the 70 athletes set to see action in the demonstration event pushed for by the older Diaz following her success in Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Generosmel Cortez of Region IX bagged the silver while National Capital Region (NCS) bet Rayney Joy Espina captured the bronze as the troike comprised the first set of podium finishers in the historic feat.
In a previous interview, Hidilyn Diaz said the inclusion of weightlifting in Palarong Pambansa is a huge step in promoting the sport as the country looks to produce more Olympians in the future.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
