Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo. | Inquirer photograph
MANILA – Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo confirmed on Thursday evening that she plans to make one last Olympic run in 2028 Los Angeles.
Talking to reporters after she was named the ambassador of quick meals chain Jollibee’s “Bida Greatest Bida Pinoy” marketing campaign in Makati, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist mentioned she believes she nonetheless has sufficient gasoline left in her tank.
“I nonetheless have the fireplace. I nonetheless love the game. I all the time love the game, however I do know I can nonetheless do it. Sa 2028, kaya ko pa rin magazine-commit (In 2028, I can nonetheless commit). That’s why I’m trying ahead to 2028,” the 34-year-old Diaz-Naranjo mentioned, including that she has step by step returned to coaching.
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Her dedication, nevertheless, would rely on some components, considered one of which is her marriage with longtime coach Julius Naranjo.
“On the finish of the day, pamilya ang uunahin ko (my household comes first),” the delight of Zamboanga Metropolis mentioned.
She added would nonetheless be nice even when she will get pregnant.
“Marami naman tayong nakikita na kahit buntis, nagbubuhat, so habang buntis, nagbubuhat, construct muscle tissues pa rin. Then after that, restoration saglit, then coaching uli. Tingnan natin. Basta prepared ang muscle, katawan at thoughts ko, so kailangan talaga, again to psychological coaching na rin ako (We see many people who find themselves nonetheless lifting weights even when they’re pregnant, so whereas pregnant, I might proceed lifting weights, nonetheless constructing muscle tissues. Then, after that, restoration for some time, then coaching once more. Let’s see. So long as my muscle tissues, physique, and thoughts are prepared. I need to get again to psychological coaching, too),” Diaz-Naranjo mentioned.
One other attainable reason behind concern, in line with Diaz-Naranjo, are the burden divisions that might be introduced for the subsequent Olympiad.
Paris 2024 Olympics organizers determined to scratch the ladies’s under-55-kilogram division, the place Diaz-Naranjo received the nation’s first Olympic gold.
She was compelled to compete within the qualifying section within the under-59-kilogram group, placing her on a collision course with compatriot Elreen Ando.
Ando ended up having a greater world rating than Diaz-Naranjo, who was nonetheless invited to Paris as one of many observers of the Worldwide Weightlifting Federation.
For now, the main focus is on the Nationwide Weightlifting Championships in Dumaguete Metropolis, Negros Oriental that began Friday, though she added that her readiness for the mentioned occasion is just not at one hundred pc.
“Hindi pa ako masyadong handa, pero nasa 80 to 90 % na ‘yung lakas ko (I’m not fairly prepared but, however my power is at 80-90 %),” Naranjo mentioned.
She was set to face Ando once more within the Beneath-59 kg division.
After the nationals, Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo will compete within the Thailand Southeast Asian Video games in December earlier than making ready for the Olympic qualifiers in 2026.
Diaz-Naranjo was considered one of 5 sports activities figures honored by Jollibee, together with fellow Olympic champion Carlos Yulo of gymnastics, Asia’s pole vault king EJ Obiena, and esports’ Sibol’s Cell Legends Bang Bang squads. (PNA)
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