OLYMPIC champion Hidilyn Diaz underscored the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices needed to hone her athletic skills to an elite level last Monday night during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel grand ballroom.
“Nagbunga ang lahat ng sacrifices, juggling ko sa studies, an athlete at sa military, and as the wife of my husband Julius Naranjo,” said Diaz, who was honored as the Athlete of the Year for the fourth time for her golden treble in the World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota, Colombia last December.
“It shows that if you really want something, you work hard for it and be inspired by those who believe in you and support you, you can achieve great things in life,” said Diaz, who was discovered at a young age in Zamboanga City carrying pails of water from the neighborhood water pump to help meet her poor family’s needs.
Although she has reaped a fortune after her breakthrough golden triumph in the Tokyo Games, which ended the country’s search for its first Olympic gold, Diaz continues to pursue her studies.
She is set to graduate this year at the 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 Diaz, who became an athletic scholar of the school after winning a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Now 32, Diaz said her aspirations of competing in her fifth straight Olympics and bringing more honor for the country is far from over.