 |
| The countdown to "The Last Dance" begins for Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo. Ivan Saldajeno |
MAKATI—Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo confirmed on Thursday night that she plans to make one final Olympic run in 2028 in Los Angeles.
Speaking to reporters after she was named an ambassador for Jollibee's "Bida Best Bida Pinoy" campaign at Whitespace Manila here, the 2021 Olympic weightlifting champ believes she still has enough fuel left in her tank to spark a flame within her.
"I still have the fire. I still love the sport. I always love the sport, but I know I can still do it. Sa 2028, kaya ko pa ring mag-commit. That's why I'm looking forward sa 2028," the 34-year-old Naranjo said, adding that she has gradually returned to training.
However, she added that the said commitment would depend on some factors, one of which is the growth of their marriage with longtime coach Julius Naranjo.
"At the end of the day, pamilya ang uunahin ko," the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist further said.
Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo further said that she would still be fine even if she gets pregnant anytime soon.
"Marami naman tayong nakikita na kahit buntis, nagbubuhat, so habang buntis, nagbubuhat, build muscles pa rin. Then after that, recovery saglit then training uli. Tignan natin. Basta ready ang muscle, katawan, at mind ko, so kailangan talaga, back to mental training na rin ako," Naranjo continued.
However, she admitted that her camp has yet to set a "Plan B" if she were ever to get pregnant.
Another possible cause of concern, according to Naranjo, is the weight divisions that would be announced for the Hollywood Olympiad.
The Paris Olympics organizers decided to scratch off the women's under-55-kilogram division, where Naranjo won the then elusive Olympic gold in Tokyo, and she was forced to compete in the qualifying phase in the under-59-kilogram group, putting her on a collision course with compatriot Elreen Ando.
Ando ended up having a better world ranking than Naranjo, and the latter had to kiss her bid for a second Olympic gold goodbye, although she was still invited to Paris as one of the observers from the International Weightlifting Federation.
For now, the focus is on the National Weightlifting Championships in Dumaguete starting on Friday, although she added that her readiness for the said event is not at 100 percent.
"Hindi pa ako masyadong handa, pero nasa 80-90 percent na yung lakas ko," Naranjo further said, adding that she is set to face Ando again in the women's under-59-kilogram division.
After the nationals, Naranjo will compete in the Southeast Asian Games before concentrating on the Olympic qualifiers beginning next year.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
