PSA Athlete of the Year Hidilyn Diaz encourages others to keep dreaming; confident of another SEAG gold

Three-time Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Athlete of the Year awardee Hidilyn Diaz encouraged other athletes to keep dreaming to achieve success.

Diaz said it was her key in getting better and eventually getting all the accolades she has been receiving in the past years.

In her speech on Monday's PSA Awards Night, the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist shared that back then, she just wanted to be in the said ceremony, looking up to the likes of athletics champion Maristella Torres.

Last night, Diaz received her third Athlete of the Year award from the media organization and said that nothing is impossible, just like another gold medal in the future.

"Ibig sabihin lang nito, walang imposible at kaya nating manalo ng gold ulit sa Olympics," Diaz added.

(This means nothing is impossible and we can win another gold in the Olympics.)

"Kung nagawa ko, kaya ng iba pang Filipino athletes."

(If I did it, other Filipino athletes can.)

Diaz said she dared to dream before and the reward was fulfilled in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"Sinimulan ko mangarap hanggang sa ginawan ko ng paraan para matupad ang ambisyon ko: makakuha ng gold medal sa Olympics," she narrated.

(I started dreaming until I worked my way to reach that ambition of getting the Olympic gold.)

"Sabi nila dati, ang taas ko mangarap. Bakit hindi? Isa kaya sa pinakamagandang bagay at libreng gawin ang mangarap. Kaya't ikaw, tayong lahat, patuloy lang mangarap."

(Others told me before that my dream was too high. Why not? Dreaming is one of the most beautiful things and we can do it for free. All of us should keep on dreaming.)

Diaz said challenges are also part of reaching a dream and what is important are the lessons that come with it.

"'Di puwedeng walang pagsubok kasi 'yun ang magpapatibay sa atin. Okay lang ilang beses magkamali, ilang beses na matalo. Ang mahalaga, natututo tayo bumangon. Kaya natin 'to."

(Challenges are part of it because it strengthens us. It's okay to make mistakes, to be defeated sometimes. What is important is that we learn to get up. We can do this.)

"Naniniwala ako na mas marami pang Pilipino ang mananalo sa Olympics at makakakuha ng ginto," she added.

(I believe more Filipinos will win in the Olympics and bag the gold.)

Four competitions ahead, confident of SEAG gold

In an interview with members of the media before the awards night, Diaz said she is preparing for four major competitions this year: the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in May, the Asian Games in September, the Weightlifting World Championships in October, and the Asian Weightlifting Championships in December in Manila.

Diaz said she will move up to the 59-kg event for the World Championships since it will also serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Olympics has no event for the 55-kg weight class where Diaz won the gold.

Asked about her chances for each event, Diaz said, "Sure ako na mag-gold ako sa SEA Games." (I'm sure of the SEA Games gold.)

"Sa Asian Games, gagawin ko ang best ko. Sa World Championships, gusto ko lang i-[manage] lahat ng expectations ng media na medyo mahirap 'to kasi aakyat ako ng bodyweight ng 59."

(I will give my best in the Asian Games. In the World Championships, I would just like to manage expectations that this will be difficult since I will move up.)

—JMB, GMA News