Filipina Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo looks forward to a busy year as she eyes back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the coming 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Monday, Diaz-Naranjo, a 2020+1 Tokyo Olympics weightlifting gold medalist paid a courtesy visit to Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann held in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC), Manila.

“Masaya na na-meet ko si Chairman Bachmann kasi sabi nya nga, ‘he wants to see the athletes, siya yung pupunta mismo sa training camp ng mga athletes,” shared Diaz-Naranjo who is also the reigning world champion in the women’s 55kg at the 2022 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota, Colombia last December.

“Importante yun sa aming mga atleta na makita ang isang mataas na opisyales na sinusuportahan kami hindi lang financially, but also [giving us] the morale support that we really need. Yung makita naming nandun sya, it gives us inspiration,” added Diaz-Naranjo who was accompanied by Team HD including Head Coach Julius Naranjo, Sports Nutritionist Jeanette Aro and Team Assistant Rowel Garcia.

After moving up to 59kg, the 31-year-old Zamboanga native expressed her excitement of carrying the Philippine flag once again on her supposed fifth Olympics stint in Paris, France.

Aside from competing in Paris Olympics qualifiers, Diaz-Naranjo is also looking forward to international training camps in U.S. and Japan, as well as defending her gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September.

“Gusto kong tsina-challenge ako. This year, mas lalo akong naging disiplinado at determinado na mag-back-to-back gold medal sa Olympics para sa Pilipinas. I will do my best for the country,” concluded the Filipina weightlifting superstar.

Date: January 18, 2023 | By: Philippine Sports Commission | Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=547453387417876&set=a.221845543311997