Hidilyn Plans To Train Kids Who Want To Go Into Weightlifting
The country’s first Olympic gold medalist hopes to set up a project called “Train With Hidilyn Diaz” to support the next generation of athletes who are interested in weightlifting.
What’s next for Hidilyn Diaz after clinching the elusive Olympic gold medal for the Philippines?
Diaz shared that she plans to set up a project called “Train With Hidilyn Diaz” to support the next generation of athletes who are interested in weightlifting.
“Maraming sumusunod sa akin, ang daming batang sumunod. Ang gusto ko ngayon is gagawa ako ng project…siguro I’ll do a project, ‘Train with Hidilyn Diaz,’ so para malaman nila kung paano mag-train ang isang Hidilyn Diaz and ‘yung support na kailangang maibigay
(Many are following me. What I want now is to set up a project, maybe I’ll do a project, ‘Train With Hidilyn Diaz,’ so that they would know how a Hidilyn Diaz trains, as well as the support needed to be given),” Diaz told reporters upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 28.
The weightlifting star also expressed how overwhelmed she was by the support that she has been receiving from her fellow Filipinos after her historic win.
“I am very happy to see [the support]. My friends were sending me pictures and videos of them watching [me],” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Diaz also expressed elation over the Filipinos support not just for her but for all the athletes competing in the Olympics. “Sana po patuloy tayo magkaisa dahil tayo ay Pilpino (I hope we continue to be united because we are all Filipinos), she said.
And while she is grateful for the incentives she’s receiving because these will be a big help, Diaz said that what matters most is her love for the sport and the Philippines.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng regalo, malaking bagay ‘yun sa akin. Gusto ko lang po sabihin na ginagawa ko po ito dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas at mahal ko ang weightlifting,” she said.
“Dream ko po, dream po ito ng bawat Pilipino at dream po ng Team HD. At naipakita po ito na kaya nating mga Pilipino na manalo sa Olympics (This is my dream. This is every Filipino’s dream and this is the dream of Team HD. And we proved that we Filipinos can succeed in the Olympics),” she said.
Diaz returned from Tokyo, Japan on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) Flight PR427 where the celebration started.
PAL gave Diaz and her team as well as fellow athlete Margielyn Didal a champagne toast in the skies.
The 30-year-old Diaz beat Chinese Liao Qiuyun in a dramatic showdown with Olympic record-setting marks to rule weightlifting’s women’s 55-kilogram category. She also cleared 127 kgs in her final lift in the clean and jerk and finished with a total of 224 kgs – both going down as Olympic marks.
Diaz made her mark in history as she ended the Philippines 97-year drought for an Olympic gold medal.
During the flight, Diaz, her team, and Didal received special treatment from PAL. They were served with special dishes while Diaz was given a cake and bottle of champagne. They also received gift bags.
There were also other forms of tribute for Diaz as she returned home, such as a billboard highlighting her achievement that serves as an inspiration to her fellow Filipinos.
