Hidilyn Diaz is trying to comply with up her Tokyo Olympics gold with a victory on the planet championships later this yr. —FRANCIS T. J. OCHOA
The more durable issues get, the extra pushed Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo turns into.
The Filipino weightlifting superstar didn’t bat an eyelash saying so.
“I really like being challenged. This yr I’ll change into extra disciplined and decided to win back-to-back gold medals within the Olympics for our nation,’’ mentioned Diaz-Naranjo, who will transfer as much as the ladies’s 59 kilograms for her second straight golden bid.
The load class will imply navigating unfamiliar territory for the four-time Olympian, who captured the nation’s first gold medal within the historical past of the Summer season Video games when she dominated the 55-kg class within the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. However that weight class, which Diaz-Naranjo has dominated in main competitions, was expunged from this system of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the Filipino star determined to maneuver up in quest of an encore.
Muscular physique
She admitted that with the transfer, she would wish to develop a muscular physique that may carry extra energy.
“I have to be extra centered whereas coaching to satisfy 59 kg. I count on coaching can be a lot more durable as I work on my weight loss program. Relaxation may even be essential to forestall accidents,’’ mentioned Diaz-Naranjo.
The 31-year-old from Zamboanga Metropolis gained’t be alone in her quest.
Diaz-Naranjo can be guided by husband-head coach Julius Naranjo each step of the best way together with the remainder of Group HD—sports activities psychologist Karen Trinidad, nutritionist Jeanette Aro and assistant Rowel Garcia.
If there’s one factor that she might leverage on, it’s the truth that Diaz-Naranjo has seen all her potential rivals in Paris.
“I noticed how they performed on the planet championships, their method and the way they ready themselves. I’m assured that I can do it,’’ mentioned Diaz-Naranjo, who lastly snatched the lacking diadem in her assortment by successful the 55-kg division within the Worldwide Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships in Colombia.
High rivals
By “do it,’’ Diaz-Naranjo meant that she would work on toppling the opposition starting within the Olympic qualifiers all the best way to Paris.
World champions Luo Xiaomin of China (snatch occasion) and Yenny Alvarez of Colombia (clear and jerk) are her hardest rivals within the 59 kgs. Kou Hsing-chun of Chinese language-Taipei and Canada’s Maude Charron, the reigning 64-kg Olympic champion, are likewise medal contenders.
The Filipino lifting icon ought to undergo 4 extra qualifying tournaments earlier than the Paris Olympics with two of them obligatory occasions—the 2023 IWF World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sept. 2 to 17 and the 2024 IWF World Cup.
She already had one event in her pocket with the Colombia world championships and expects three extra meets subsequent yr, together with the Saudi worlds.
“I can’t go there simply to compete. My purpose is to change into the perfect lifter in these tournaments,’’ mentioned Diaz-Naranjo, who visited Philippine Sports activities Fee Chair Richard Bachmann early this week.
“That can be my mindset all the best way to the Paris.’’
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