OLYMPIC weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is already fulfilling dreams ahead of Paris Olympics 2024 as she led on Sunday the groundbreaking ceremony of her soon-to-be-built HD Weightlifting Academy in Jala-jala, Rizal.
Diaz-Naranjo proved that she is not only great in her sports but is also a champion in life by giving back to the weightlifting community. The weightlifter believes that the training center would be home to many future weightlifters.
“This is just so important to me,” said the country’s first and only Olympic gold champion in an Instagram post. “As I prepare for the Paris 2024, I have a place to train together with the kids who dream to be in the national team, be a world champion and Olympic medalist,” she continued.
“Today marks the ground-breaking of the HDWLA Outreach program,” wrote her husband-coach Julius Naranjo on IG. “This has been @hidilyndiaz dream to give back to weightlifting. For me to continue to give back to the Philippines and find myself as a Filipino.”
“Thank you to everyone who came today and to the well wishes messages sent by our friends & supporters,” said Naranjo as he expressed their heartfelt gratitude for supporters of the outreach program. “We are excited to see what we can do for the future along with our dreams to qualify and win another medal for the Philippines.”
Diaz-Naranjo, who is scheduled to compete in next year’s Olympic Games in Paris, came in fourth in the 59kg event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The projected 108-sq m single-story training facility will be built at the heart of the couple’s 7,000-sq m property in Sitio Manggahan. The academy is planned for completion by the second quarter of next year, with the goal of expanding and sustaining the institution with the support of sponsors.
“We can’t wait to see, hopefully, after four months, from the temporary gym to our soon-to-be training camp preparing for the Paris Olympics, and joining us the soon to be weightlifting champions,” said the Olympic gold medalist.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Richard Bachmann and PSC executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad were also present at the groundbreaking ceremony.
