'Winning is not everything': Hidilyn Diaz gears up for life beyond weightlifting | ABS-CBN
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'Winning is not everything': Hidilyn Diaz gears up for life beyond weightlifting
'Winning is not everything': Hidilyn Diaz gears up for life beyond weightlifting
Kennedy Caacbay,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 11, 2024 06:45 PM PHT
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Updated Jun 10, 2024 03:22 PM PHT

Hidilyn Diaz successfully lifts her first attempt in snatch at 63 kgs in the women’s 59 kgs class of weightlifting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on October 2, 2023. PSC-POC MediaPool/file

MANILA – After missing her Paris dream, the Philippines' first and only Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, is gearing up for life beyond weightlifting.
MANILA – After missing her Paris dream, the Philippines' first and only Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz, is gearing up for life beyond weightlifting.
Diaz, now 33, expressed acceptance after failing in her campaign for a fifth consecutive appearance in the Games and is thankful for the support she has received in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Diaz, now 33, expressed acceptance after failing in her campaign for a fifth consecutive appearance in the Games and is thankful for the support she has received in a Facebook post on Thursday.
"The result was not according to what I wanted and planned. But Thy will be done. It was not my day and #Paris2024 is not for me," said Diaz in a lengthy social media post.
"The result was not according to what I wanted and planned. But Thy will be done. It was not my day and #Paris2024 is not for me," said Diaz in a lengthy social media post.
"The Olympics and weightlifting are not my everything. I sacrificed a lot of my time to train and sometimes I forget to enjoy the process because I am caught with the high expectations and high pressure of being an elite athlete. This moment is for me to learn new skills -- join classes and workshops to learn to cook and bake. I have long wanted to take culinary courses since I was 22 years old, and now, I will not just imagine doing pasta, pizza, and kare-kare, I will bake and cook some for my friends and family," she said further.
"The Olympics and weightlifting are not my everything. I sacrificed a lot of my time to train and sometimes I forget to enjoy the process because I am caught with the high expectations and high pressure of being an elite athlete. This moment is for me to learn new skills -- join classes and workshops to learn to cook and bake. I have long wanted to take culinary courses since I was 22 years old, and now, I will not just imagine doing pasta, pizza, and kare-kare, I will bake and cook some for my friends and family," she said further.
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The Pinay star weightlifter failed to reach the Olympics in France after getting beaten by fellow Filipina Elreen Ando, who finished seventh after lifting a total of 228kg in the 59kg class at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup.
The Pinay star weightlifter failed to reach the Olympics in France after getting beaten by fellow Filipina Elreen Ando, who finished seventh after lifting a total of 228kg in the 59kg class at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup.
Diaz only lifted 222kg, ending in 11th place at the Phuket tilt.
Diaz only lifted 222kg, ending in 11th place at the Phuket tilt.
"Winning is not everything; It is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes. Thank you to the athletes who messaged me and said that I inspired them. I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up," she added.
"Winning is not everything; It is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes. Thank you to the athletes who messaged me and said that I inspired them. I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up," she added.
One of the things Diaz wants to do is invest in entrepreneurship and "to be a better sports leader."
One of the things Diaz wants to do is invest in entrepreneurship and "to be a better sports leader."
"I will also learn to do business and invest myself in education to be a better sports leader. I have a lot of things to learn in life."
"I will also learn to do business and invest myself in education to be a better sports leader. I have a lot of things to learn in life."
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More than those, Diaz also seeks to allot time for her family.
More than those, Diaz also seeks to allot time for her family.
"This is #FamilyTime, I will be spending time with my family, Ninongs & Ninangs, and my friends. Together, we’ll make memories and enjoy the time with them," she said.
"This is #FamilyTime, I will be spending time with my family, Ninongs & Ninangs, and my friends. Together, we’ll make memories and enjoy the time with them," she said.
Diaz will still head a fundraising campaign for the HD Weightlifting Academy as she expressed her faith in God.
Diaz will still head a fundraising campaign for the HD Weightlifting Academy as she expressed her faith in God.
"I truly believe God has a better plan. I trust Him and for now, because of my love for God, weightlifting, my country and for all of you… I will continue to LIFT everything - all in God’s hands!!!"
"I truly believe God has a better plan. I trust Him and for now, because of my love for God, weightlifting, my country and for all of you… I will continue to LIFT everything - all in God’s hands!!!"
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