Hidilyn Diaz wants to inspire young athletes in Batang Pinoy

From competing in the world stage, it is now the turn of Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to prepare young athletes as members of her team competed in the 2023 Batang Pinoy held in Manila.

Diaz, together with her husband Julius Naranjo, coached representatives from Jala-jala, Rizal.

On Tuesday, King Memoracion bagged the gold in the 61-kg category, while Adonis Ramos copped the bronze medal in the 55-kg category. 

For Diaz, the future of weightlifting in the Philippines remains bright.

"Para sa akin, mahalagang nakikita ng mga bata na nakikita ng mga bata na nandoon ako, sinu-support ko sila. Kasi ako, nandoon ako sa taas, pero bumaba ako kasi gusto kong i-influence sila, i-inspire sila," Diaz said in Oscar Oida's 24 Oras report on Tuesday.

(For me, it is important that the kids see me supporting them. I am already at the top and I went down because I wanted to influence and inspire them.)

Aside from members of Diaz' team, 9-year old Naga bet Faye Collantes won a gold medal in the 10-m girls archery event.

Faye won the gold medal despite using an old and incomplete archery set. A stainless ruler was used as a clicker in her equipment.

"Medyo malayo ang Naga sa Maynila, tapos talagang kapos din kaya ginawan ko na lang ng paraan para may magamit ang anak ko," Faye's father and coach Noe said.

(Naga is quite far from Manila, so I just looked for ways so my child can use something.)

Despite this, Faye said her motivation came from her family.

"Kasi sina mama po at si papa, si kuya rin po, [nasa] archery rin kaya nagaganahan po," Faye said,

(Mom, dad, and my brother are also in archery, that's why I'm motivated.)

Meanwhile, Sofia Marie Mojado of Mandaluyong City (balance beam, individual all-around), Clara San Pedro of Pasig City (individual all-around) and Maria Celina Angela Gonzales of San Juan (uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, individual all-around) won gold medals in their respective women's artistic gymnastics events.  These gymnasts were trained by Club Gymnastica Philippines.

Batang Pinoy is the national youth competition for athletes aged 15 and below. Unlike the Palarong Pambansa which is held for student-athletes, the tournament is also open for out-of-school youth.

This year marked the return of the tournament since it was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News