Hidilyn Diaz Prepares for the Greater Challenge of Motherhood
HIDILYN DIAZ – Olympic Champion Hidilyn Diaz said she’s now preparing for the bigger challenge of being a mom.
Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, a renowned Filipino weightlifter, will miss the Olympics for the first time in the last five cycles. Instead, she has announced her decision to focus on motherhood, considering it the greatest challenge for any woman.
After failing to qualify for the Paris Summer Games due to her placement outside the Top 10 in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Thailand, Diaz-Naranjo took to social media to share her plans for starting a family with her husband and coach, Julius Naranjo.
Expressing the importance of family, Hidilyn Diaz emphasized the significance of this new chapter in their lives.
“NOW, FOR THE MUCH NEEDED FAMILY TIME…
“Du’n tayo sa FOREVER. God and Family are Forever!!!
“Ninong @iamnoelferrer , countdown na po to your apo!!! #ForeverGrateful,” she wrote.
Despite marrying Julius two years ago, the timing for welcoming a child wasn’t aligned with Diaz-Naranjo’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Olympic appearance. She began her Olympic journey in 2008, achieving no medals until claiming silver in Rio de Janeiro. Her gold in Tokyo 2021 marked a historic moment for the Philippines, but the shift in weight categories for the Paris Games presented new challenges.
Although Diaz-Naranjo was determined to qualify for Paris, changes in weight divisions required her to compete in a heavier class where competitors were naturally larger and stronger. While she won’t be competing, Team Philippines will be represented by Elreen Ann Ando in Paris, with Diaz-Naranjo and Julius supporting from afar.
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