Weighlifting academy? Hidilyn Diaz it’s now on the initial planning stage
HIDILYN DIAZ – The country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist is planning to build a weightlifting academy.
The 30-year-old weightlifter from Zamboanga made history as the first-ever Filipino to bag a gold medal in the Olympics in the recently concluded women’s 55-kg weightlifting event.
The country’s pride finished with a total score of 224 kg defeating China’s Liao Qiuyun. She ended the near century-long Olympic gold medal drought of the country since it competed in 1924.
Because of her achievement in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, several businesses and public officials pledged to give her rewards such as cash, free flights, house and lot, properties, cars and to name a few.
Meanwhile, two months after securing the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines, Hidilyn Diaz bared her plan to build a weightlifting academy.
She envisioned the sport as a venue for Filipino youth to become their stepping stone in achieving their dreams.
“Gusto kong i-share yung blessings ko, experiences at mga learnings ko na mahalaga din ang sports sa nation building and education,” she said.
According to her, she will call it the “Hidilyn Weightlifting Academy.” However, it is still in the initial planning stages.
Aside from her plan to build a weightlifting academy, she will also launch financial literacy advocacy for her fellow athletes.
She’s hoping to share what she learned from the past especially in making financial decisions.
“Mahalaga kasing i-increase ang awareness on financial education sa mga kapwa ko atleta kasi hindi naman habang buhay din kaming nasa sports,” she said.
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