MISSING the adrenaline rush of actual competition, weightlifting Tokyo Olympic Games gold medalist Hidylin Diaz-Naranjo is keen getting back into shape to see action in the women’s 58-kilogram division in the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December.
“Nakalagaynapoakosa line-up sa 58 kilograms so I am now in serious to prepare for that,” disclose Diaz-Naranjo on the sidelines of the Philippine Sports Commission Stakeholders Forum held recently at the Solaire Resort in Paranaque City.
“As a weightlifter, you always want to compete. You miss the adrenaline rush so we will prepare hard for the SEA Games,” said the Zamboanga City pride, who won back-to-back gold medals in the 55kg category in 2019 Philippine and 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, respectively.
She disclosed that she has set her own personal exclusive time for workouts as she and husband-coach Julius Naranjo run the HD weightlifting training center for aspiring young lifter in Jalajala, Rizal.
The athlete has the full support ofNaranjo in returning to the grueling grind of training for the regional meet, saying: “From Day 1 I have always supported her. I think it is not my place to tell her when to stop. It is really just when she is ready to (retire).
“In spite our busy schedule, our athletes still need inspiration and to show that she (Diaz-Naranjo) is still there, willing to represent the country in the best way that she still can.”
What’s important, he added, was “to get back Hidy into fighting shape. We’re trying to build her up again and we still have four months to go to do that.”
The last time that Diaz-Naranjo participated in the 58kg weight category in the SEA Games was in the 2013 Myanmar edition, bring home a silver with a total lift of 225 kilos from the Burmese capital Naypyidaw.
No longer a spring chicken at 34, the Zamboanga City pride, who also won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Summer Games, acknowledged that going up against younger weightlifters, particularly the crack Thais, was a huge challenge.
“Gusto komangaminin, chances ko ay silver, malakas ang Thailand. Pa-buildup pa lang. Lumakiako so I have to drop weight,” the country’s top sports heroine said. “Peroalamninyonamanako, may four months to prepare pa so I will do my best for the country.
“I take the challenge, and we will see sa SEA Games. I will promise to give my very best.”
