She truly is a national treasure.
It’s no secret Hidilyn Diaz wants to win another gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics and inspire at the same time.
That’s why she launched the HD Weightlifting Academy in Jala-Jala Rizal as part of a grassroots program aimed at helping kids who aspire to become the best of the best like Diaz.
“Gusto ko lang sabihin na napaka-importante itong gym dahil we will prepare for Paris 2024, aiming for gold for Paris 2024 at the same time influencing the Filipino athletes, and that has always been a dream since Tokyo 2020 preparation, na-stuck kami sa Malaysia,” said Diaz during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new gym.
“Sabi ko kay Julius na why not we train in the Philipppines and influence the Filipinos na pwede tayong magaling na andito sa Pilipinas.”
The lead-up to this moment was riddled with challenges, of course.
“First gym namin, sa HD Weightlifting gym, sa parking lot, mahirap ang training, mainit… pag magbubuhat kailangan dahan-dahan baka masira ang floor, hindi nama-maximize, palit kami,” she recalled.
“Sa ibang bahay, umabot kami one year, kaso ‘yung pundasyon hindi maganda, at maraming need i-repair, at na-report kami ng kapitbahy at sa barangay, naging source ng stress sa 'min.”
It didn’t stop there, added the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist. But they refused to fold.
“Heto ngayon, nasa sariling lote na namin, may temporary gym na kami, kaso pag umuulan basa kami, nasisira ‘yung ibang equipment, may temporary pero nasisira ‘yung equipment,” she lamented.
“We really need space na hindi masabi na temporary at medyo nahirapan na rin at dumami na ang mga bata, umabot na sa 30 plus na mga bata at kailangan nang maayos na training.”
Fortunately, a new gym is set to rise soon for Diaz and the kids—a symbol of hope that one day, another athlete (or maybe five or ten) from this camp will prove to be world beaters, just like the brainchild of the gym they are training in.
“Sa tulong ng lahat ay maa-achieve natin na matulungan lahat ng mga nangangarap at kaya na maging Olympic gold medalist,” she said.
Yep, that's Hidelyn Diaz, ladies and gentlemen. Gold medalist. Consistent winner. An inspiration to all.
(MDB)