Weightlifting superstar Hidilyn Diaz underscored the hard work, dedication and sacrifice needed to hone her athletic skills to an elite level during her coronation on Monday as the Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
“Nagbunga ang lahat ng sacrifices, juggling ko sa studies, an athlete at sa military, and as a wife of my husband Julius Naranjo,” said the weightlifting standout, who was cited Athlete of the Year for the fourth time for her golden treble at the world weightlifting championships in Bogota, Colombia last December.
“It shows that if you really want something, you work hard for it and inspired by those who believe in you and support you, can achieve great things in life,” said Diaz, who is set to graduate this year from College of St. Benilde with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Business Management.
“Nagbubunga na rin po ‘yung pagsisikap ng seven years at ga-graduate na rin ako,” said the athlete, who became an athletic scholar of the school after bagging a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, beaming.
Now no longer a spring chicken at 32, Diaz said her aspiration of appearing in a fifth straight Olympics and bringing more honor for the country is far from over.
“Sa mga nagsasabi it’s too late to start, hindi ako naniniwala diyan. Age is just a number. Ang importante du’n is that we love what we are doing. For our fellow athletes, we are doing this for love of our country and for our sports,” she underscored.
She twitted her critics that she was over the hill, saying: “Sa mga nagba-bash sa aking, mas na-challenge ako kaya okay lang.”