AGUSAN DEL SUR — All eyes were on secondary boys weightlifter Matthew Diaz of Region 4-A (Calabarzon) at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa here at the Datu Lipus Makapandong-Governor Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex.
For one, Diaz bagged the under 48 kilogram gold medal last year and this time he is competing in the under-52kg division with his aunt, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, as his personal coach.
Diaz settled for silver medal after a thrilling standoff against Rodelyn Cruz of Zamboanga, the home town of the Diaz weightlifting family.
The two were neck-and-neck throughout the competition, with Cruz ultimately claiming the gold with a total lift of 207kg (93kg in the snatch and 114kg in clean and jerk) as Diaz fell short at 202kg (92kg in the snatch and 110 kg in clean and jerk).
Hidilyn’s nephew opened the clean and jerk portion by easily clearing 110 kgs, a weight Cruz matched on his second attempt.
However, the intensity mounted when the weight was raised to 113 kgs, and Diaz struggled to complete the lift.
Seizing the moment, Cruz mustered his strength on his final attempt to lift 114 kgs and bag the gold medal.
For his final lift, Diaz attempted 116 kgs which would have given him the gold but faltered.
Visibly crestfallen, Diaz dropped to his knees as he settled for runner-up honors.
“I know that they expected a lot, but it all depends on what will happen in the competition. We just really don’t know what will happen. It’s really sad, because I really trained so hard, and I am giving my all every training, but if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. It’s just really sad,” the 15-year-old Diaz told The Manila Times in Filipino while holding back the tears.
“I am happy because he won. We can’t do anything about it now. This is what God gave me.” He vowed to bounce back stronger next year.
“I will try my best [to come back stronger]. I will do everything that I can; this is for my dream. I want to be a member of the national team and an Olympian,” he said. In the girls’ division, Rizal’s Stephanie Mandigma, another member of the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Academy, copped the gold medal in the under-40 kg category after lifting a total weight of 121 kgs (55kg in snatch and 66kg in clean and jerk).
She completely dominated her division as silver medal winner Darine Krist Gaña of Region 9 lifted a total of 113kg (53kg in snatch and 60kg in clean and jerk), and bronze medalist Chloe Taylor of the National Capital Region lifted a total of 108kg (48kg in snatch and 58kg in clean and jerk).
“I am inspired by Ms. Hidilyn, and I want to be just like her; that’s why I really want to earn the gold medal and continue weightlifting,” Mandigma said.
