Hidilyn Diaz, may tatlong makabuluhang dahilan para magpasalamat sa kanyang buhay

• Hidilyn Diaz celebrated the fifth anniversary of winning the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal
• She also marked her fourth wedding anniversary with husband and coach Julius Naranjo
• The Olympian celebrated the second anniversary of the HD Weightlifting Academy, which supports aspiring young lifters
• Diaz said she remains committed to growing weightlifting through education, coaching, and athlete development

Hidilyn Diaz celebrates three meaningful milestones in one unforgettable month

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz looked back on one of the most meaningful months of her life as she celebrated three major milestones that reflect both her personal happiness and continuing mission to grow the sport of weightlifting in the Philippines.

Through an Instagram post on Sunday, July 26, Diaz commemorated the fifth anniversary of her historic victory at the Tokyo Olympics, where she became the first Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

"Happy 5th anniversary sa atin sa first gold medal natin sa Olympics- ang bilis ng panahon! Salamat sa pagkakataon binalikan ko ang pagpapanalo ko sa Olympics. Napakaproud maging Filipino!"

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Diaz captured the women's 55-kilogram weightlifting title during the Tokyo Games in 2021, ending the Philippines' nearly century-long wait for an Olympic gold medal and inspiring countless Filipinos.

Aside from celebrating her historic achievement, Diaz also marked four years of marriage with her husband and longtime coach, Julius Naranjo. She expressed gratitude for his constant support throughout their journey together.

"Happy 4th anniversary, samin ni @imjulius - Salamat ❤️ for choosing me every day, and so grateful to have you in my life. I love you and I pray to God for us every day."

The Olympic champion also celebrated the second anniversary of the HD Weightlifting Academy, the training center she and Naranjo established to help young athletes pursue their dreams in the sport.

"Happy 2nd anniversary, @hdweightliftingacademy - it’s a very ambitious dream with my husband but a very fulfilling one to see young athletes realize their dream through weightlifting."

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Diaz shared that building the academy has become an important chapter in her life, allowing her to grow not only as an athlete but also as an educator, entrepreneur, wife, and mentor.

"I’m thankful for the learning and experiences we’ve gained building the academy. We will have more exciting news and activities soon. Part of my growth as an athlete, lecturer, wife, furmom, and businesswoman."

To celebrate the special occasions, Diaz said they chose to spend the day preparing and serving food for their family and close friends.

"We celebrate this beautiful day by cooking and serving our friends and family."

Earlier this year, Diaz expanded her advocacy by joining the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Human Kinetics as a weightlifting instructor. She previously said her goal is to introduce more Filipinos to the sport and encourage the next generation of athletes to discover weightlifting through education.

"I'm happy that I learned how to spread the sport through academe. So ngayon, [I'm] hoping na mas maraming magka-interest about weightlifting... At the end of the day, that's my goal. That's why I teach weightlifting sa UP."

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Hidilyn Diaz is a Filipino weightlifter who made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by winning the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal in the women's 55 kg category. Hailing from Zamboanga City, she is a four-time Olympian whose decorated career also includes a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold medals at both the World Championships and Asian Games.

In another report, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz has started teaching PE 2 weightlifting classes at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She expressed her appreciation to the UP College of Human Kinetics and the Philippine Sports Commission for supporting her transition into teaching. To prepare for the role, Hidilyn completed a Teaching Effectiveness Course before stepping into the classroom. Her appointment was warmly welcomed by students and fans, who praised her commitment to inspiring the next generation through weightlifting.

Meanwhile, Hidilyn Diaz achieved another personal milestone after finally hiking Mount Pinatubo with her husband. The Olympic champion revealed that the adventure had been one of her long-time dreams since her early years in military service. Fellow athletes and several personalities reacted to her post, with some even playfully inviting her to future hiking trips. Aside from pursuing personal goals, Hidilyn continues to share her expertise as a weightlifting instructor at the University of the Philippines.

Source: KAMI.com.gh