Hidilyn Diaz also has a golden heart for the unfortunate and dreams like her-according to one of her former scholars in Zamboanga.
For one of Diaz’s former scholars, Jane Hipolito, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, can be considered an inspiration every time they rehearse.
“‘Pag kasama niya kami nagba-bonding tapos tinuturuan kami ng good techniques tapos nagbibigay ng payo sa amin,” said Hipolito.
“Noong una po si coach nanghihikayat sa akin na imbes na magtambay ka lang sa gym, mag-training ka lang tapos after nung makita ko si Ate Hidilyn mas naengganyo akong mag-training nang maigi po. Mahirap sa umpisa pero ‘pag ginusto kakayanin naman po,” she added.
Hidilyn Diaz started his weightlifting career in Zamboanga, and at the same time, she also went through a lot, particularly in terms of finances and support for her competition.
Hidilyn Diaz an inspiration for her scholars in Zamboanga
When Diaz started weightlifting, four of her cousins jumped into the game to become scholars, said her cousin and teammate in the national team, Army Cpl Alexander Diaz.
He said that due to the difficulty of paying tuition, they entered the sports.
Cpl Diaz also shared some of the challenges they faced in their first years of training as weightlifters.
“Noong elementary kami nagsakay lang kami sa jeep, ambag-ambag kami, magtipid kami sa jeep tapos siya paupuin namin kasi prinsesa namin ‘yan eh. Mahirap din ang buhay kasi kami nagtatanim lang dati kami ng gulay tapos ibebenta sa palengke. Sila naman nagtatanim ng talong tapos bebenta rin tapos nag-iigib ng tubig,” said Cpl. Diaz.
Cpl Diaz is convinced that the hard work and effort she went through was the way to his cousin’s success.
Hidilyn Diaz has the rank of staff sergeant, who joined the Philippine Air Force after her victory.
Hidilyn won the historic gold medal in the 55 kg class of women’s weightlifting and became the first Filipino to win the medal in the Philippines’ 97 years of participation in the Olympics.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.