Nearly a decade ago, Hidilyn Diaz poured her own silver-medal earnings into building a weightlifting gym in her hometown. This week, the government finally caught up to her vision, delivering new training equipment to the same facility she built from scratch.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio led the turnover ceremony at the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym in Zamboanga City. For Gregorio, it wasn’t just a delivery of gear. It was a promise fulfilled.

A Gym Built Long Before the Gold Medal

Diaz constructed the gym in the village of Mampang back in 2017, using funds from her Rio 2016 silver medal. At the time, she had not yet become the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medalist, a milestone she would reach four years later in Tokyo.

The facility has since produced real results. Asian Youth and Junior medalists Alexsandra Ann Diaz and Jhodie Peralta both trained there, and both attended this week’s equipment turnover alongside 21 other grassroots athletes.

Diaz, now known as Diaz-Naranjo, said the new gear means training can continue without interruption. “Dahil sa weightlifting equipment na ito, tuloy-tuloy ang training ng mga atleta ng Mampang weightlifting club sa weightlifting gym na pinatayo ko last 2017,” she said.

She added that watching young athletes chase their own Olympic dreams is what makes the effort worthwhile. “Masaya akong makita na maraming kabataan ang sumusubok ng weightlifting at nangangarap maging isang medalist,” Diaz-Naranjo said.

Gregorio framed the upgrade as an investment in the pipeline Diaz herself started. “This is about building dreams. By equipping the home of our local weightlifting community, we are laying the foundation for the next generation of Olympic icons,” he said.

A Wider Push for Grassroots Weightlifting

The turnover ceremony drew several PSC representatives, including Executive Assistant Lito Cinco from the office of Commissioner Matthew Gaston. Assistance and Coordination Division OIC Anna Ruiz and Engr. LJ Bujawe also attended on behalf of the commission.

Local officials joined as well, including City Councilor Elbert Bong Atilano and Sports Development Officer Cecilia Atilano. Coaches Allen Jayfrus Diaz and Emelita Diaz, who train the young lifters, rounded out the ceremony.

The project is part of a broader collaboration between the PSC and the Department of Education, led by Secretary Sonny Angara. It follows a directive from President Marcos for both agencies to work together on developing sports programs nationwide.

Gregorio described the initiative as central to the country’s long-term sports strategy. “Grassroots development is the lifeblood of Philippine sports. Every barbell lifted here is a step closer to producing champions who will one day carry our flag on the world stage,” he said.

For the PSC, the Zamboanga turnover is one piece of a larger commitment to grassroots athletes. The agency has already signaled plans to expand equipment support and coaching partnerships with Diaz-Naranjo’s academy to reach more schools across the country.