From Olympic queen to UP faculty: Hidilyn Diaz debuts as UP Diliman professor
- Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz officially joined the UP Diliman faculty after completing the Teaching Effectiveness Course this January
- Diaz will handle two PE 2 weightlifting classes starting in the second semester of the 2025–2026 academic year at the College of Human Kinetics
- The champion athlete aims to use her new platform to design a weightlifting curriculum and pass on her elite experience to Filipino students
- Despite her legendary status, Diaz expressed a mix of nerves and excitement, viewing teaching as a "level-up" opportunity for her career
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In a historic move that bridges the world of elite sports and higher education, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz has officially transitioned into academia as she prepares to teach at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
Source: Instagram
The champion weightlifter recently completed her formal orientation, marking a new chapter in a career already defined by breaking barriers for the Philippines.
Diaz, who secured the country’s first-ever Olympic gold in Tokyo, spent the week of January 12 to 15, 2026, undergoing the Teaching Effectiveness Course (TEC) at the UP Diliman School of Economics.
This intensive training serves as the mandatory bridge for professionals entering the university’s faculty, ensuring they are equipped with the pedagogical skills to manage a classroom effectively.
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The athlete expressed that while she is accustomed to the pressure of international competition, the prospect of managing a class brings a different kind of adrenaline.
"Good thing na naka-attend ako nitong TEC. Nagkaroon ako ng idea kung paano iyong magiging approach ko sa pag-handle ng class. I am also thankful for my CHK colleagues’ support, they were there to cheer and help me," Diaz shared.
She also credited her new colleagues at the UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK) for their warm reception and support during her training.
Starting the second semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, Diaz will lead two PE 2 weightlifting classes.
For the Olympian, this role is more than just a job; it is a long-held dream of institutionalizing the sport she loves.
By designing a curriculum specifically for the university level, she hopes to produce not just stronger athletes, but a deeper understanding of the discipline.
"Teaching allows me to pass on the knowledge and grit I’ve gained over the years," Diaz remarked.
She noted that her primary motivation for entering the academe is a desire for mutual growth—learning from her students while they learn from her.
This academic appointment follows her earlier announcement in late 2025 and her ongoing work with the HD Weightlifting Academy in Rizal.
While her academy focuses on grassroots development for youth, her role at UP Diliman aims to integrate weightlifting into the physical education of college students, further solidifying the sport's footprint in the country.
As she prepares to meet her first batch of students, Diaz admits to feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
However, much like her approach to a heavy lift, she is determined to give her best effort to this "level-up" opportunity in her illustrious career.
Hidilyn Francisco Diaz is a trailblazing Filipina athlete who made history as the country's first Olympic gold medalist. She achieved this monumental feat at the Tokyo 2020 Games, dominating the women's 55 kg weightlifting division. A four-time Olympian and 2016 silver medalist, she now serves as a faculty member at UP Diliman, sharing her elite expertise with the next generation.
Last year, in a heartfelt social media post, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo recently looked back at her groundbreaking journey during the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she secured the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold. The elite athlete shared the spiritual significance of the "Miraculous Medal" necklace she wore during her winning lift, which served as a symbol of her deep-seated faith and perseverance. Diaz expressed profound joy in finally visiting the original site that inspired her devotional pendant, fulfilling a personal promise she made following her historic achievement in Japan. The post featured a warm photograph of the weightlifting icon alongside her husband, Julius Naranjo, and close companions, celebrating the community that stood by her throughout her career.
Also last year, the sporting world celebrated a rare encounter between the Philippines' only two Olympic gold medalists, Carlos Yulo and Hidilyn Diaz, following Yulo's sensational performance in Europe. Media outlets, including the Philippine Star, captured the monumental moment these two national heroes shared, creating images that have since become a source of immense pride for the country. Hidilyn Diaz, the nation’s first gold medalist in Weightlifting, was seen cheering on the next generation of excellence, personifying the "Ate" (older sister) role for the national team. Carlos Yulo, who made history with two gold medals in floor exercise and vault, credited Diaz’s 2021 victory as the blueprint that proved Filipino athletes can dominate on the global stage.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
