Hidilyn Diaz now a teacher at UP Diliman: 'I want to educate more people'

Hidilyn Diaz will now be teaching at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). 

In an article posted on its website, UPD reported that the Olympic gold medalist will handle two PE 2 sections in weightlifting this second semester of AY 2025-2026 under the College of Human Kinetics (CHK).  

To prepare for her teaching stint at the CHK, Diaz attended the Teaching Effectiveness Course (TEC) from January 12 to 15 at the UPD School of Economics.

Diaz underscored the importance of teaching weightlifting to students and the public, hoping to incorporate weightlifting into a broader sports education in the Philippines. 

“I want to educate more people para mas maraming makaintindi ng weightlifting kasi ang weightlifting ay regular event na sa Palarong Pambansa,” Diaz told UPD.

In October 2025, Diaz shared on Instagram that she will begin a teaching engagement at UPD-CHK in 2026.

In her post, Diaz said her goal in this new role is to “keep learning, and I hope my students will learn from me too.”

She also shared that she is working on a curriculum “to promote and spread weightlifting,” describing it as a longtime dream.

“I’m excited and nervous, but ready to give my best,” she wrote. “I love weightlifting, and I’ll keep doing my best to grow and share the sport I love." 

Diaz was the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal after securing the women's 55-kg weightlifting event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In January 2025, Diaz was inducted into the Philippine Sportswriters Association's Hall of Fame. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News