Weightlifting in grand return to 2025 Palarong Pambansa

Weightlifting makes a giant leap — and lift — to hoisting national awareness and hopefully global excellence down the stretch in a grand return to the 2025 Palarong Pambansa here, four years after delivering the country's breakthrough Olympic gold medal.

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The booming sport, last included in the Palaro during the 80s, found its way back home to join almost 30 events to be played across 40 venues around Ilocos Norte for a glimmer of hope to replicate the momentous feat by Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo in the Tokyo Olympics.

Over 1,700 medals are up for grabs among a 15,000-strong delegation from 18 regions led by 17-time champion National Capital Region starting with first three events of 3,000-meter run, long jump and javelin throw at 6 a.m. at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium track oval.

Either of the three premier athletic events will deliver the coveted first gold of the 65^th Palaro edition serving as only the second hosting since 1968 for Ilocos Norte, the home province of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. from Batac City and the first Filipino Olympic medalist (bronze) Teofilo Yldefonso from the town of Piddig.