MANILA – For most young athletes, carrying a famous surname can sometimes feel like extra weight. But for young Filipina weightlifter Alexsandra Ann Diaz, it has become a source of strength to lift her up.
Rather than being weighed down by the expectations that come with being the niece of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, she draws inspiration from her tita's achievements as she begins to forge her own path.
READ: Alexsandra Diaz sets 2 new youth world records at IWF competition in Colombia
"Mas motivation po [sa akin]. Kasi tita ko po [si Hidilyn] gusto ko po maging parehas niya," the 15-year-old Diaz told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday.
"'Yung maging parehas po kay ate Haidie, 'yung maging Olympian po. At [manalo] ng Olympic gold medal," she responded when asked about her dream as a weightlifter.
Diaz won three gold medals after topping the snatch, clean and jerk and total in the women's 48kg class on Monday at the 2026 IWF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia.
The Zamboanga City native also set two new youth world records in clean and jerk (98kg) and total (175kg), one kilo short from breaking the snatch record.
"Sobrang saya po kasi first time ko rin mga world record 'yung dalawa po," Diaz said.
In the 2025 edition of the same competition, Alexsandra also won gold in the snatch and total when she was still competing in the 45kg weight class.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz wants to study in Europe, help more athletes
But the 15-year-old said this achievement hits different since it went beyond winning gold medals.
"Iba talaga po kasi tatlong gold [medal] po [ako] tapos may world record din. Naka-break ako ng record," she said.
Coach Allen Diaz said they are very grateful to his cousin Hidilyn for her advice, support and how she paved the way for more Filipinos to get into weightlifting.
"Naka-advise po sa amin lagi si Hidilyn. Malaki po tulong niya sa amin. Kasi po kung hindi natayo 'yung gym niya sa Mampang, sa malamang wala ito, wala sila sa international stage," he said.
"Nagpapasalamat po talaga kami kay Hidilyn kasi tumulong talaga siya sa Zamboanga City, sa barangay namin. Kahit sariling pera tinauyan niya ng gym doon. At tuloy-tuloy 'yung suporta niya sa amin, tuloy parin advice niya sa mga bata," the elder Diaz said.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz sees potential in young lifters as weightlifting becomes regular Palaro sport
Coach Allen said he was not surprised to see his niece achieve such feat on the world stage since this was their goal from the very start.
"Nakaplano na po yun. Opo kasi naka-strategy na ma'am yun kasi lamang na po kami sa snatch. Sabi ko, kaya naman niya 'yung world record yung snatch. Kaso lang, kunin muna naming gold. Yun ang importante muna," he shared.
"Sobrang saya po niya ma'am kasi first time niya nakuha 'yung record sa international. Pero sa Pilipinas na-try na namin 'yung tumira siya ng record talaga. Naka-plano na kasi yun ma'am. Kaya 'yung condition na lang dito kung bigyan ba ng panginoon na condition 'yung bata, binigyan naman ng condition kaya sobrang saya po kami dito," the elder Diaz explained.
Alexsandra looked back on the sacrifices and challenges before getting the gold, thinking of how it all paid off in the end.
"'Yung lumayo po sa pamilya tapos training hard po. 'Yung sakit sa katawan. 'Yung maiyak ka nalang sa sobrang [pagod]... At sa biyahe din po," she shared.
The younger and elder Diaz thanked everyone who supported them especially Hidilyn, their family, the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Sports Commission, and private sponsors.
As Alexsandra continues lifting herself and the Philippines, coach Allen is also proud to be the mentor of a world record holder, while remaining optimistic she can also reach Hidilyn's achievements.
"Gusto ko rin manalo siya ma'am. Kasi pangarap ko maging coach ng Olympian. Sabi ko sa kanya, tirahin mo 'yung record ha kasi gusto ko magkaroon ng atleta ng world record holder," he said.
"Sabi ko yun sa kanya para ma-encourage din siya. Dapat ganun 'yung goal ng coaches. Kausapin niya 'yung player parang nag-uusap lang sila" coach Allen added.
After winning golds and setting youth world records, the 15-year-old already went back to training for possible upcoming competitions in August and November.
Alexsandra is more confident than ever that she can lift her way to glory, following in the footsteps of her tita Hidilyn.