Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and coach Julius Naranjo. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – July 26 will always hold a special place in the heart of the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo for different reasons.
Five years ago, the date was when Diaz clinched the country's first gold medal at the Olympics after ruling the women's 55kg division in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.
On a more personal note, July 26 likewise marked the fourth wedding anniversary of Diaz and her husband and weightlifting coach Julius Naranjo back in 2022.
The couple also celebrated two years since the opening of the HD Weightlifting Academy in Jala-jala, Rizal, which they created as part of their mission to spread weightlifting and develop young athletes.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday in Mandaluyong, Diaz looked back at what has changed in her life and the sports world five years on.
"Five years na ng pagpapanalo ko noong Tokyo 2020. Tapos fourth anniversary namin. 'Yung HD Weightlifting Academy. 'Di ko inakala na babalikan ko 'yun at masabi ko 'yun 'yung proudest moment ko na kasi binigay ko ang best ko during the preparation ng Tokyo 2020 Olympics and sobrang saya ko na siya ang napangasawa ko," Diaz shared.
"And then 'yung HD Weightlifting Academy lang kasi siyempre parang we're still learning how to manage the business side ng Academy. Again, but we're happy na ito, nag-looking back na kami and now we're [looking at] paano namin ma-improve pa ang HD Weightlifting Academy to make it more sustainable," she added.
After achieving one of the highest goals for an athlete, Diaz said her new goal is to give back by spreading weightlifting across the country and lifting up the next generation.
"Siyempre nanalo na ako ng gold. And then, hindi naman ako forever athlete. So, nagbabago na 'yung goal ko as an athlete. So, nagiging gusto na rin, family na rin. And then, spreading the sports na which ginagawa namin. And more on business na rin. And HD Weightlifting Academy side," she explained.
Diaz said she realized that her role as a Filipina athlete and Olympic champion does not end with winning a medal, but it continues even after she steps off the podium.
Following her historic feat in 2021, Diaz sees there's still a lot to be done to raise more awareness and interest in weightlifting in the country.
"Siguro looking back, okay nanalo ako ng gold medal sa Tokyo 2020 plus one Olympics. And we made history, ako 'yung first. But akala namin pag nanalo kami ng gold medal sa Olympics, 'yun na 'yun eh. Mababago na lahat ng program or maging mas kilala na ang weightlifting," she said.
"Pero we have to really do the work. And I'm so happy now we're doing the work. Nandito na 'yung HD LiftOff, weightlifting is in Palarong Pambansa. And now I'm a lecturer in UP [University of the Philippines] and then HD Weightlifting Academy. So I'm happy na we're doing the work going back to grassroots," the 35-year-old shared.
READ: HD LiftOff competition aims to bring world-class weightlifting in August
For Naranjo, Diaz winning the Olympic gold medal was only the start of their journey.
He sees the gold medal as a stepping stone to reach a higher level of success, which for him is inspiring others and helping Filipino athletes achieve what Diaz has done.
"I think, you know, the success weighs more than the medal. It's like how we are able to inspire the athletes, especially through Palarong Pambansa. Just to see where we went from 70 athletes in a demo sport to 160. And then next year din, how much more? And I think maybe that's what success is," he shared.
"I mean, winning the gold medal was a big success but I think there was still a lot of work that needs to be done. Kasi you know weightlifting is still not a popular sport so we want to appeal to the masses and we want to show that everyone can do it, it's inclusive. And we just want to make sure that we do our part to inspire people because I feel like that's what success to me is, if we can inspire people to be the best of themselves. I think that's important for me," Naranjo added.
The Olympic gold medalist, who is also teaching at the University of the Philippines Diliman, hopes to see weightlifting not just in school curriculums but also in collegiate competitions.
READ: Hidilyn Diaz sees potential in young lifters as weightlifting becomes regular Palaro sport
"Sana mas marami pang scholarship sa college level naman for the athletes. Kasi after their Palarong Pambansa, what's next? Hindi naman kasi lahat maging Olympian gold medalist like me. So at least 'yung iba, may ibang opportunity na to study and still pursue weightlifting," Diaz said.
"I hope UAAP and other college competition ay i-consider to include weightlifting in their events. Kasi kung mabibigyan po natin ng pag-asa at oportunidad ang ating atleta, mas lalo tayong gagaling. At least marami na tayong pool of athletes na pwedeng mag-represent sa Pilipinas para sa international competitions. So dito pa lang marami na tayong competitions. Dito pa lang marami na magagaling. So 'yun talaga ang goal," she added.
When asked what's next for her, the Olympic gold medalist hinted at something more personal, previously sharing they want to start a family.
"'Di ko alam what's next. But hoping na maging kumpleto na kami. Kumpleto na as [a] family. Sana, sana. 'Yun 'yung what's next na nili-look forward ko," Diaz said.
While Diaz will be sitting out the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, she continues her mission of lifting up others by spreading weightlifting across the country.
The 35-year-old is glad to see a lot of young weightlifters bring glory to the country, especially as some of them hail from her hometown of Zamboanga City.
"Para sa akin masaya and then fulfilling. Kasi 'yun naman talaga, para sa akin mahirap 'pag ako lang mag-isa. Ako lang mag-isa gold medalist tapos sa weightlifting. Mas maganda kung mas marami akong nakikita na maraming atletang gumagaling," Diaz said.
"And then maganda rin tignan na 'yung mga atleta na dati nangangarap lang na maging kagaya ko, ngayon they're doing their best and they're also excelling at nagkakaroon sila ng sarili nilang pangalan sa weightlifting. And I'm so happy to see them na doing their best for our country and for themselves and for their family," she shared.
Diaz is looking forward to witness at least 130 athletes at the HD LiftOff weightlifting competition on August 15 to 16 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.