Diaz seeks to better self by going back to school
ONE cannot have enough of improvement. Yes. Even for an athlete like Hidilyn Diaz who has accomplished a lot in her sport of weightlifting.
And one way she is bettering herself is by going back to school as a scholar at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB).
In a talk last week with a group of sportswriters at the Vatel Restaurant Penthouse in Hotel Benilde Maison de la Salle organized by CSB, the Rio Olympics silver medallist shared that going back to school was something she always wanted to do to complement what is she is doing right now as well as in preparation for the future.
“I said to myself that being an athlete is not forever and that I have to have a college degree. I already won a silver medal but I don’t want things to stop for me there. I don’t want to end up like other athletes who fell into rough times after their careers came to an end,” Ms. Diaz said in the vernacular.
“This is an opportunity to gain new learnings, to get a college degree. I also want to encourage athletes to pursue education and not just stick to being an athlete,” the Zamboanga native added.
And so when the opportunity to enter CSB came, she immediately latched on it, taking a four-year business management course.
“Benilde accommodated my schedule so I can pursue my studies and train at the same time. It is also near Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where I train,” said Ms. Diaz of her decision to go to College of St. Benilde.
“I wanted to take up sports management but since it is not offered here I decided to take up business management instead. My course I believe could help me better handle my finances. I could also apply it in sports and help grow weightlifting here in the country,” added the 25-year old, who stayed for two years in college in Zamboanga as a computer science student before going full time on weightlifting in 2010.
Ms. Diaz went on to say that since starting classes on Jan. 5, it has been about adjustments for her.
“It’s been about adjustments for me since it has been a while since I was in school. It feels like starting all over again. But it won’t stop me. I really want to pursue this,” she said, adding that so far her classmates have not recognize her, something she is comfortable with as she does not want to get any special treatment. But while she is back in school, she reiterated that she is still very much committed to weightlifting and setting her sights on competitions ahead, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she hopes to better her silver-winning showing in last year’s Summer Games.
She, however, laments the non-inclusion of women’s weightlifting in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games later this year as she could help bring medals home for the country.
“Of course I want to have weightlifting in the SEA Games to help bring medals for the country. But unfortunately there is none so I’m just looking forward to the Asian Indoor and the World Championship in the US later this year,” Ms. Diaz said.
She also threw her support behind the recently inaugurated Philippine Sports Institute at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, saying if handled correctly it will go a long way in helping athletes like her.
“The setting up of the institute is good for Philippine sports. With its focus on grassroots and with specialized people handling it, the training and education of national athletes will be augmented,” she said.
Recognized as one of the faces of Philippine sports right now because of her recent success, Ms. Diaz said she welcomes it but would rather channel the focus on the lesson her success imparts.
“Whether in sports, school or life in general, you just have to come in prepared each time and good things will come your way,” Ms. Diaz said. —