Hidilyn Diaz: 'Sana Mas Marami Pang Bata Ang Matuto Mag-Weightlifting'

While Hidilyn Diaz raises funds for the Paris Olympics, she still continues to make weightlifting equipment donations in her goal to give back and grow the sport in different parts of the country. Diaz and her husband Julius Naranjo donated to the Manila Weightlifting Club in Tondo, the Borromeo Weightlifting Club in Taguig City, and the Dasmarinas Weightlifting Club in Cavite.

“Malaking bagay ito kasi itong tatlong weightlifting clubs ay bago,” said Diaz. “Ngayon nag-e-expand na ang weightlifting sa Luzon. We hope we can give more to the Luzon weightlifting clubs para sana magkaroon na din ng laro para mag-expand pa lalo yung awareness sa weightlifting.”

“Sobrang saya ko na makita ang mga bata na nag-enjoy sa weightlifting na sana matuto. I hope na mabigyan sila ng direction sa buhay through sports," said Diaz.

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3 Benefits Of Getting Kids Into Weightlifting

First thing's first: There's a myth that lifting weights stunts growth. The origin of this belief was detailed by The New York Times, when a 1970s report on young kids in Japan doing manual labor mentioned the children were "abnormally short." Today, researchers have shown that kids as young as 7 years old can start off with strength training and techniques, while tweens and teens can get into weightlifting.

Diaz hereself started at 11 years old, with the supervision of a coach in one of the first weightlifting gyms in Zamboanga. Studies encourage that, unless coached by a professional, that children wait until they are skeletally mature before lifting heavy and shifting to powerlifting training.

With proper clearance from their pediatrician, children can start with using their body weight and elastic bands to build strength and resistance. For adults, weightlifting can improve muscle and bone density, cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of chronic disease. For children, here are some benefits that weightlifting can do for them.

1. Improves Motor Skills and Muscle Coordination

Dr. Avery Faigenbaum (author of Youth Strength Training and Kinesiology and Health Sciences professor) shares, “We’ve worked with kindergartners, having them just use balloons and dowels [as strength training tools,] and found that they developed strength." But instead of building muscle mass, as adults would use weightlifting to do, the improvements in children can be seen in neurological connections and developing movement patterns. This allows children to perform better in other sports and activities, and even help prevent movement-related injuries.

2. Builds Confidence and Sustainable Habits

Adults often use weightlifting to lose weight and improve their body image, which helps raise their self-esteem. For children, strength training isn't so much about how big your muscles are, but learning how the body works.

Strength training is not only about repetition in the gym, but also about getting adequate sleep, recovery time, and a proper diet. These habits learned early on can greatly improve mood as children go through puberty and hormone changes.

3. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight

Whether a child is athletic or not, strength training and techniques can build endurance and promote blood flow in the body. As a result, it can be a means to help an obese child get to a healthy weight and cholesterol level.

READ: Dawn Zulueta On Daughter's Ballet Achievements: 'It Took A Whole Village To Help Ayisha Grow And Soar High'

Supporting Weightlifting In The Philippines

Diaz said the donations were made possible by the help of her supporters including SpartPH. Mazda Philippines also pitched in with the delivery of the equipment using its BT-50 truck, while Atoy Customs 4x4 Body Kits also supported through the customization of the vehicle for the transit.

In the trip to Taguig, Diaz met Sen. Pia Cayetano, who expressed her support to the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist’s project.

“Sobrang saya ko na makita ang mga bata na nag-enjoy sa weightlifting na sana matuto. I hope na mabigyan sila ng direction sa buhay through sports, sana maging world champion at gold medalist sila, at makapag-aral, mabigyan ng oportunidad,” said Diaz.

“Sana mas marami pang bata ang matuto mag-weightlifting at sana magkaroon talaga ng laro sa Luzon,” said Diaz.

This story originally appeared on Spin.ph. Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.