A total of four medals were bagged coming from the weightlifting and boxing team in which Hidiylyn Diaz snatched the gold medal, four silver from Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, and one bronze from Eumir Marcial.

Such a feat ignites the Olympian medalists to voice out their sentiments on the inclusion of their respective sports in the collegiate setting.

“Sana makita po natin na ‘yung mga medalist ngayon ay sa boxing at weightlifting,” Diaz said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. 

“Wala pong weightlifting sa NCAA at UAAP pati Palarong Pambansa. Sana ma-consider natin na ipasok. Sana ‘yung mga LGU din po masuportahan ang weightlifting and boxing,” she added.

In which Marcial agreed to the same by saying that “sana mapasok yung boxing sa mga NCAA, pati women’s para ma-inspire din yung ibang atleta na boksingero na mag-aral.”

“Halos pili lang po kasi ‘yung mga schools at universities na nagbibigay ng scholarship sa boxing. Sana po i-open din nila, ‘yung iba rin pong universities,” Petecio added.

And thankfully, the leagues are open to that suggestion.

“I have come across calls regarding the inclusion of weightlifting in the UAAP roster of events and will bring it up to the attention of the board in due course,” said UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag.

While the NCAA league, an official from St. Benilde averred that they are committed to the goal of producing athletes that would help in representing the country in international games and shared that, “we are willing to discuss this idea and hopefully come up with recommendations on adopting new events.”

Meanwhile, CESAFI commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy Jr. brought out that they are the only collegiate league in the country that has Weightlifting in their calendar.

And lastly, other leagues in Manila such as NAASCU are not yet fully decided as they have to weigh the cost-benefit of putting the said sports in their calendars.

“It’s a very welcome proposal to us and we’re willing to do it as long as the schools are able to do it,” said UCBL president Franklin Evidente.