Hidilyn: From world-class athlete to coach

HIDILYN Diaz-Naranjo is slowly shifting her energies away from competing in national and international meets and will focus much of her time in coaching younger athletes.

The plans of the 33-year-old Diaz-Naranjo slowly unravelled after she missed Paris Olympic qualification in the women’s 59kg event of the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.

“Yes, I will still represent the country in international meets. But for now, bawas na ang schedule ko for training. I have more time to explore and explore other things like coaching,” said Diaz-Naranjo.

She discussed her status during the 60th anniversary celebration of MILO in the Philippines, under the theme, “Let’s Bring Out the Champion in Every Filipino,” at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon

City, with company executives led by Carlo Sampan and other athletes like volleyball player Alyssa Valdez, karateka Jamie Lim, basketball player Chris Tiu and former gymnastics and taekwondo star Bea Lucero-Lhuillier.

Last week, Diaz-Naranjo missed a shot at a second Olympic gold medal in Paris after compatriot Elreen Ando of Cebu took the lone qualifying spot in the women’s 59kg division in weightlifting during the Phuket meet.

For the last four years since the Tokyo Olympics, Diaz-Naranjo has put up training camp in Jala Jala, Rizal with husband Julius.

There are currently 30 kids whom the couple are training, supporting and developing to become good athletes in the future.

Of the 30, four have stood out, and are expected to shine.

Under her watch, the likes of Renzo Menoracion, Adonis Ramos, Kristel Sarcauga and Roshelle Villanueva

have shown promise, according to Julius.

Julius said that although his wife won’t be competing for medals most of the time, she will still join meets whenever she finds time to do so.

“If she wants to go into competitions, no one can question her. If she wants to compete, we’ll prepare for it,” added Julius.

Meanwhile, MILO unveiled its 60th Anniversary Celebration Program, including the Milo Marathon, which took off over the weekend with simultaneous races in Laoag, Lipa and Mandaue.

Summer sports clinics involving 30 different disciplines have begun nationwide and more are set in the days ahead.

This includes the BEST clinics in basketball and volleyball, camps in gymnastics, taekwondo and karatedo among others.

“This is part of an initiative to encourage and energize members of the Filipino family to get involved in sports,” said Sampan.