Camille Naredo

Hidilyn Diaz competes in weightlifting in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 in Chonburi, Thailand. POC Media

Hidilyn Diaz competes in weightlifting in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 in Chonburi, Thailand.

Article (news)

2025 Southeast Asian Games

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765773307035IMG_2567.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Hidilyn Diaz competes in weightlifting in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 in Chonburi, Thailand. POC Media" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Hidilyn Diaz competes in weightlifting in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 14, 2025 in Chonburi, Thailand.<em> </em><em>POC Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>CHONBURI – Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is admittedly at a crossroads in her illustrious sporting career, after missing a shot to add another medal to her collection at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. </p><p>The country&#x27;s first Olympic gold medalist finished fourth in the women&#x27;s 58kg weightlifting event on Sunday, clearing a total of 200kg in snatch and clean and jerk. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/14/hidilyn-diaz-misses-podium-in-sea-games-return-1811">READ: Hidilyn Diaz misses podium in SEA Games return</a></div><p>Diaz-Naranjo was apologetic after the event in an interview with POC Media, but shared the competition lit a fire in her after setbacks.   </p><p>She revealed she has been dealing with a persistent right knee injury since the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as mental struggles. </p><p>&quot;After not qualifying sa Paris [Olympics], medyo nawalan na ako ng motivation. And yeah, this is my first international competition after 2024. So, I&#x27;m happy to be back again,&quot; Diaz-Naranjoo said.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s not the physical training, it&#x27;s more on the mental training. So yun yung medyo nahirapan ako. So medyo one year, almost two years na akong hindi naglaro. Na-miss ko rin pala yung feeling na maglaro para sa Philippines and the podium,&quot; she added. </p><p>When asked if retirement is on the horizon, she did not give a definite answer. </p><p>&quot;Depende sa takbo ng mga plano. May mga plano na. Nandoon na tayo, malapit na sa retirement. Pero siyempre, kailangan natin tignan kung ano ba [susunod]. Yun yung problema ng athlete. After winning gold, what&#x27;s next? To be a sports leader? I will be a lecturer next year,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Medyo magulo ang isip kung... Definitely hindi pa, pero nandoon na. And dahil dito sa competition na ito, nagkaroon ako ng fire. Pero may kailangan na kung gagawin for the Pilipinas Weightlifting Association,&quot; Diaz-Naranjo shared. </p><p>Last October, Diaz-Naranjo announced she will be a lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics. </p><p>She aims to give back by sharing her experiences to her future students, while helping develop the future generation of weightlifters. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZTmSTrg_y90?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is admittedly at a crossroads in her illustrious sporting career, after missing a shot to add another medal to her collection at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. </p>

Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is admittedly at a crossroads in her illustrious sporting career, after missing a shot to add another medal to her collection at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

After missing out on SEA Games medal, is Hidilyn Diaz thinking of retirement?

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

After missing out on SEA Games medal, is Hidilyn Diaz thinking of retirement?

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 15, 2025 12:42 PM PHT

|

Updated December 15, 2025 02:18 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

weightlifting

SEA Games

2025 SEA Games

Hidilyn Diaz

Southeast Asian Games

Team Philippines

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.