From Olympic Gold to Gourmet Goals: Hidilyn Diaz embarks on culinary adventure

MANILA, Philippines - Weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz, who became the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal, is now dominating another arena—the kitchen.

Diaz recently completed a fundamental culinary course at the Center of Culinary Arts Manila wherein, on her Instagram, she shared that her passion for cooking dates back to 2013, but her rigorous training for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics kept her from pursuing it. Now, with her athletic goals on track, she’s finally diving into the world of flavors, techniques, and kitchen mastery.

In an Instagram Reel, Diaz gave her followers some behind-the-scenes look at her culinary journey—learning essential skills like chopping vegetables with precision, deboning fish, and mastering different cooking methods.

"In 2025, I told myself I would finally do the things I've always wanted to do," she wrote, expressing how much she’s enjoying this new challenge.

She also shared that her newfound appreciation for cooking extends beyond personal passion, as she envisions using her skills for an upcoming business venture in Jalajala, where she established a weightlifting academy in 2024.

Aside from being an elite athlete, Diaz is proving she is also a dedicated learner, having earned a Business Administration degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2023.

Now, with a chef’s knife in hand instead of a barbell, she’s showing the world that champions never stop growing—whether in sports, academics, or the kitchen.