Hidilyn Diaz: A Weightlifting Legend
Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines’ lone gold medalist, remains determined to continue her weightlifting journey despite missing out on the opportunity to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Diaz’s Determination
Despite finishing 11th in the women’s 59kg class at the IWF World Cup, Diaz expressed her love for the sport and her intention to keep pushing forward. She emphasized the importance of taking a break to reassess her priorities before deciding on her next steps.
A New Chapter
This marks the end of Diaz’s streak of consecutive Olympic appearances, with Elreen Ando set to represent the Philippines in the 59kg division in Paris. Both Diaz and Ando competed in weight classes that were eliminated from the Paris Olympics lineup.
Reflecting on Achievements
Despite the disappointment of missing out on Paris, Diaz remains grateful for her accomplishments in the sport, including securing the Philippines’ first Olympic gold in weightlifting. She looks forward to spending quality time with her coach and husband, Julius Naranjo, as they plan their long-awaited honeymoon.
Naranjo, acknowledging Diaz’s status as a legend in the sport, believes that she has nothing left to prove and that they have given their best effort.
As Diaz takes a well-deserved rest and reflects on her journey, her resilience and dedication continue to inspire aspiring athletes around the world.
