Hidilyn Diaz made history in Tokyo. Her 15-year-old niece, Alexsandra Diaz, may be writing her own.
The younger Diaz announced herself to the world on Monday at the World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Cali, Colombia—sweeping all three gold medals in the women’s 48-kilogram class while setting two world records in the process. It was the kind of performance that makes you stop and check the name twice, and then nod slowly in recognition. Yes, that family. Yes, that bloodline.
Alexsandra Diaz Forges Own Path
The Zamboanga City native—who won bronze at the 2025 Bahrain Asian Youth Games—was in complete command from her opening lift. She posted 77 kilograms in the snatch, 98 in the clean and jerk, and 175 in total, claiming all three golds without serious challenge. Her clean and jerk broke the previous world standard of 97 kilograms in what is a new weight class. Her total of 175 kilograms shattered the 173-kilogram mark. Two world records at 15 years old, at her first world championship.
She came within a kilogram of making it a record-breaking treble, just missing the snatch world standard. That near-miss was the only blemish on a day that otherwise went exactly as it should have for a teenager operating well beyond her years.
The family connection is impossible to ignore—and should not be downplayed. Hidilyn became the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo in 2021, and her journey from Zamboanga to the summit of world weightlifting is the template that Alexandra now appears positioned to follow. Same hometown. Same weight class range. Same early mastery of the platform.
It runs in the genes—and the genes are producing champions.
Weightlifing Entering a Golden Era?
Alexsandra Diaz’s gold haul was part of a strong opening day for the Philippines. Jay-R Colonia—another 2025 Bahrain Asian Youth Games bronze medalist—claimed gold in the men’s 56-kilogram clean and jerk with a 140-kilogram lift, adding two silvers in the snatch (109 kilograms) and total (249 kilograms) to give the country a four-gold haul on day one. Althea Bacaro contributed a silver in the women’s 44-kilogram clean and jerk with an 80-kilogram lift, and a bronze in total at 140 kilograms.
Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella was direct about what the results represent—and where they are pointed.
“This is where it all starts,” Puentevella said. “This is in preparation for the Asian Games and, ultimately, the Olympics. That is why we compete against the best in the world.”
The campaign is not over. Asian Youth Games silver and bronze medalist Jhodie Peralta in the women’s 53 kilograms, along with Rhianne Cabalida (69 kilograms), Jea Mae Palagtiwm (77 kilograms), and Kirby Kent Alas-as in the men’s 60 kilograms are still to compete—suggesting the gold rush has plenty of runway left.
But the conversation Monday belonged entirely to Alexsandra Diaz. Two world records. Three gold medals. One unmistakable message: the next Diaz is already here.
