After winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold, many would like to know what is next for Filipino sports icon Hidilyn Diaz.
Months before the Tokyo Games, the 30-year-old veteran internationalist mulled hanging on her gloves and calling it a career. However, she has not closed any doors for continuing on,
And in a virtual presser on Tuesday, Diaz made the decision.
“Hindi ako magsa-stop kasi kaya ko pa.
She added, “Nakita ko ang galing ko at may ibibigay pa ko para sa Pilipinas.”
Definitely, she has a lot of gas still left in her tank.
During her event, she snatched 94-kilograms before breaking the Olympic record in the clean and jerk with a lift of 127kg. All in all, she carried a 224kg — another Olympic mark.
Admittedly a visionary in terms of growing her beloved sport in particular and solidifying Philippine sports in general, the Olympic champion knew that there is still much to do.
“Hindi pwedeng after winning susuko na ko. Alam niyo naman na I still need to continue to inspire the young generation to still dream. Ang standard ng sports baka bababa so kailangan tuluy-tuloy hanggang sa may pumalit sa kin.”
For that matter, Diaz also hopes that with her win, the Filipinos, especially the stakeholders of the sport and the government will finally go hands full to ensure another success in the Olympics stage.
“Please mag-fund kayo sa sports, sa weightlifting. Nakaya nating mga Pilipino. First time natin ito.
“Akala natin imposible. Akala ko rin imposible. Nasa pandemic tayo, imposible yung Olympics, pero nandito tayo at kinaya natin. Huwag tayong sumuko kahit anong challenges o trials yan, manalangin tayo kay God. I’m proud to be Pinoy!,” she told MVP Sports Foundation ambassador Gretchen Ho.
